Lee McGregor's hopes of ending 2025 on a high have come to an abrupt end after the former European bantamweight champion suffered a fractured orbital bone during training.

Back in 2021, Edinburgh-born McGregor (15-2-1, 11 KOs) set a record by winning the British, Commonwealth and European titles within just 10 fights. He did it all whilst dealing with the effects of losing four close family members within the space of 12 months.

Almost inevitably, McGregor's momentum slowed and, in July 2023, he lost his unbeaten record to Mexico's Erik Ayala.

In December 2024, he was handed a spot on the undercard of the rematch between The Ring and unified heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, and Tyson Fury and delivered a 10-round points win over Isaac Lowe.

That victory earned him a major fight with the Ring's No. 10-ranked featherweight, Nathaniel Collins, but he was stopped in four rounds by his Scottish rival on the Josh Taylor-Ekow Essuman undercard.

The manner of the defeat convinced McGregor that if he was to regain his old standing in the sport, something needed to change.

Still only 28 years old and undoubtedly talented, McGregor made the decision to leave his family and friends, moving 200 miles south to Liverpool. It is there he has been training at the busy, successful Everton Red Triangle gym; home to The Ring's No. 3-ranked featherweight and WBA champion, Nick Ball.

McGregor was set to move up in weight and, in an Instagram post, revealed he had agreed to a 'massive' fight before the injury struck.

McGregor said: "I made a choice and another big change, I left my family and moved to Liverpool to chase my dreams with everything I had. After a tough year, I finally felt hope again. I accepted a massive fight offer/opportunity lined up just before Christmas — a chance to turn everything around and set myself up for an incredible 2026.

"And then… life hit me hard. During training, I suffered a fractured orbital bone. Just like that, everything I was building, all the sacrifices, felt like it had been knocked away again!

"I won't lie — this one hits hard, one of the hardest moments of my life. I've faced setbacks before, but this one stings. I've lost sponsors, seen people leave, and struggled to keep going while working harder than ever behind the scenes. That fight would've eased so much of that pressure… and now it's gone.

"But here’s the thing. I will not let this define me. This career isn't all glitz or glamour — it's blood, sacrifice, and getting back up every single time life knocks you down. And that's exactly what I'm going to do.

"I am determined to come back — whatever it takes. Stronger, hungrier, more focused. And when I do, I'll show everyone that no setback, no injury, no amount of bad luck can stop me from reaching my dreams.

"I would never normally post this but it's something I feel I need to do as you would almost think this is made up with the amount of bad luck/setbacks I seem to be receiving. When the reality of it is I'm actually doing everything in my power to get back in the ring.

"To the people who are still here, still checking in, still believing in me — thank you. Your support keeps me going. I will be back."