How Willie Limond's bond with Frank Warren paved the way for son Drew

It can be felt most keenly in his two sons, Jake and Drew, who had already been inspired to follow him into the world of professional boxing and who continue to take the Limond name forward seven months after their dad’s shock death at the age of just 45.

A lifetime committed to the discipline is reflected both in the honours Limond collected – he became European, British and Commonwealth champion – and the people he encountered and befriended along the way.

One of those was Frank Warren, head of Queensberry Promotions, and a well-kent face throughout the world of boxing. Limond had competed on many of Warren’s shows back in the day and the duo formed a lasting bond. That friendship gave Limond a platform many years later to arrange a meeting with Warren to see if Queensberry might consider working with Drew, at that time a talented amateur prospect on the cusp of turning over.

That encounter took place just weeks before Limond’s tragic death but Warren has remained true to his promise by signing Drew and giving him a helping hand at the start of his professional journey. Still just 18 years old, Drew made his debut, on the same card as Jake, on an emotionally charged night in Renfrew in August, recording a shut-out points victory.

Now he is set for his first Queensberry appearance at The Brewery in London tonight where veteran journeyman Paul Cummings will ease him into the swing of things with four probing rounds. The pain of losing Willie – who was as much a friend as he was a father – naturally still stings but Drew admits he owes so much to his dad as he opens the book on his own promising pro career.

“You can’t turn pro until you’re 18 and I was in two minds about it as I was in the Scotland amateur team,” he reveals. “It was a good set-up and I was going abroad a lot to fight. But I was leaning towards turning pro and my dad just said, ‘I’ll just speak to Frank’ and that was that. That was maybe a year ago and he got the ball rolling.

“He set up that meeting, Frank agreed to taking me on, we got talking and I signed. So I’m really grateful to my dad for doing that for me. He said he could see my potential and wanted the best for me – like he did for all of us.

“Having Queensberry’s backing means a lot. It gives me a platform to fight on, a bit of financial security, and having my fights on TV on TNT Sport - and then DAZN next year - is going to get my name out there and help me get sponsors. It’s a big help when you’re just starting out. I think Jake’s pretty happy for me too. He’s always trying to tap me for money!”

Drew Limond remains grateful to dad Willie for everything he did for him Image: Jake Limond (Image: Jake Limond)

Drew was originally pencilled in to make his Queensberry debut earlier this month on the undercard of the IBO world title clash between Liam Davies and Shabaz Masoud in Birmingham only for a late change of plan.

The venue and occasion tonight – a black-tie boxing fundraising dinner – won’t be quite as high-profile but the teenager is typically laidback about it all.

“I would fight anybody, anywhere,” he confirms, although whether his jokey 'White Sugar’ nickname is going to stick he’s less sure of. “I wasn’t bothered where it was going to be as long as I got the chance to fight.

Read more:

• Jake Limond on boxing again for first time since dad Willie's death

• Boxer Willie Limond obituary: 'Only a fool would disrespect him'

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“I don’t think this one’s on the TV as it’s a charity event but it lets me get settled in without there being too much drama. It would have been amazing to have been on the Davies vs Masoud card but I didn’t dwell on it too much when it got changed. Things like that happen all the time and you just move on.”

Limond, like his dad and brother, is managed by the St Andrew’s Sporting Club and will be continued to be guided jointly by its owner Iain Wilson and Warren with regards to the best way forward.

A series of four-rounders, on both sides of the border, are planned for the first phase of his development before hopefully progressing to bigger and longer challenges.

“I had a meeting with Frank, my dad and Iain right at the start which went well and then more recently I’ve been dealing with Frank’s number two, Andy Ayling,” adds Limond who trains under Michael McGurk at the Mania gym. “Frank’s happy for me to fight in Scotland as well so I’ll imagine I’ll be on a few of Iain’s shows too.”

Naturally his father’s shadow still looms over everything. His death has left a huge void in all of their lives but, like Jake, Drew is stoically just getting on with things. It’s what his dad would have wanted.

“It was always going to be hard to move on from what happened,” he adds. “My dad was a larger-than-life character and you’re always going to miss someone like that. But I’ve been in the gym since I was six. I don’t know anything else. I’ve been sparring pros since I was 13 years old. So, I’m ready for it.”