SportBoxingCommonwealth GamesThe 2026 Commonwealth Games begin next week where the next crop of promising British boxers will hope to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Barry McGuigan09:25, 17 Jul 2026The Commonwealth Games begin in Glasgow next week.‌Though the games are not as big as they were in my day, they are still a significant step in the journey of any young boxer.‌Travelling to Edmonton in 1978 was a whole load of new experiences for me. My first real international competition, first long haul trip, six week camp beforehand. The intensity was incredible. I had never been so fit.‌I was so grateful for that when we got to Canada. I had four bouts in total and remember fighting the Canadian in the semis. He was heavy handed but we had a plan and I knocked him out in third. Much to the chagrin of the home supporters.I hadn’t really thrown proper combinations before. Our trainer, Jerry Storey, who is still with us, God bless, worked wonders with me and it came off.I fought a guy from Papua New Guinea in the final. He had knocked everyone out but Jerry didn’t tell me that.‌He caught me in the second with a big right hand. I had never been hit so hard. I was given a standing count, but I was able to come back and defuse him to get gold.The games were a chance to fight away from home, to cope with different styles and techniques under pressure. Only two of us on the Irish team turned pro, me and Hughie Russell, a flyweight who went on to win the British title.We had massive press back home in Ireland, north and south. It was a great learning experience. It meant so much and it will be the same for these kids. For some it will be the pinnacle of their careers. Others will see it as a stepping stone to the paid ranks.‌Two years later I went on to the Moscow Olympics, where I got a lousy decision, but it was the Commonwealths I look back on now as the real career turning point for me.I met so many great people, including world class fighters like Azumah Nelson and Mike McCallum, and learned so much. Another highlight was meeting the BBC’s legendary commentator Harry Carpenter, who actually thought my opponent deserved gold.Article continues belowA lot of competitors will be new to senior boxing in Glasgow. The learning curve is steep. It’s important to be ready, be in the best condition and stay as focused as possible.They will will learn so much about championship boxing and what it takes to succeed in the toughest game of all.Follow Barry on X at @‌ClonesCyclone @McGuigan's_GymBarry McGuiganNumber one for boxingChoose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌BBCCommonwealth GamesBarry McGuigan