Willie McLaughlin and Milano Thunder team-mates pose for leading magazines ahead of WSB Team final.

Willie McLaughlin

Willie McLaughlin and his Milano Thunder team-mates took some time out from their preparations for next Wednesday’s World Series of Boxing (WSB) Team Championships final with Dynamo Moscow to pose for a photo-shoot with top magazines Men’s Health and Mr Porter recently.

McLaughlin, who boxes out of the Illies GG club in Donegal, told WSB News that posing as models wearing the latest trends in sportswear was a completely new experience – as was having most of his hair shaved off.

He said: “This was a fun experience; the guys there were both very nice and helpful. The whole day was a bit surreal and unexpected. I was surprised at the amount of people working backstage, photographer’s assistants, make-up artists, hairdressers.

“We were the centre of attention for all these people. I must admit  that I really liked that. We had a good laugh with Ludovic Groguhé and Branimir Stankovic, who were the other models on the day. One thing that stands out for me, in this whole experience, is getting my hair shaved off so short”.

Thunder will meet Dynamo Moscow at the Excel in London, the venue for boxing at the 2012 Olympic Games, next Wednesday night.

Willie McLaughlin (left) and Milano thunder team-mates

The May 2nd mid-week showdown will be decided over five bouts.

John Joe Nevin’s Paris United won the inaugural WSB Team Championships final last season.

Tickets for the May 2nd final are now available on http://www.worldseriesboxing.com/tickets.aspx

VIP Ringside Tickets (£55)

Limited number of complimentary general admission seats available using code WSB-TF-5aYXRTKn

Take note that a draw will take place on the night of the event with exclusive Prizes up for grabs.