McAllister won the Commonwealth belt in June 2009

Aberdeen boxer Lee McAllister sees his Commonwealth lightweight title defence against Ghana's Samuel Amoako as the next step to becoming a boxing icon.

The fight, at Glasgow's Bellahouston Leisure Centre, will be the first headlined by an Aberdonian in the city.

However, McAllister sees the 29 January bout as more than just a chance to shine outside his native north-east.

"Scottish boxing has always had icons and I want to be the next one," said the self-styled 'Aberdeen Assassin'.

He added: "There have been Scottish fighters in the past like Jim Watt and Ken Buchanan, and recently Scott Harrison, who have been great fighters.

"They have been world champions and I want to follow in their footsteps.

"I am the new kid on the block and I believe I can go on to make my mark.

"I know I can take it and I can't wait until I get in to the ring."

Boxing promoter Tommy Gilmour, also McAllister's manager, has declared himself pleased with his charge's attitude ahead of the Bellahouston contest.

"I am happy with Lee's self-belief," said Gilmour.

"He is so confident in his ability and he will have hundreds coming down from Aberdeen to see him in action as well as all the others who will watch the fight at Bellahouston and on the television.

"My job is to create opportunities for him and I have been able to do that.

"As Lee likes to say, I do the thinking - and he takes the punches.

"He's got the ability, no doubt about it and I look forward to him progressing," he said.

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