Sam Gilley faced a tough week with the loss of his grandmother and a change of opponent, but he didn’t let that deter him in the ring against Jack McGann. The junior middleweight put on an impressive performance, securing a fourth-round stoppage to defend his Commonwealth title at York Hall in London.
Despite not having fought in a year, Gilley showed no signs of ring rust as he dominated the fight from the start. He landed a stiff right hand in the opening round that caught McGann’s attention and followed it up with a flurry of punches. In the second round, Gilley sent McGann to the canvas with two powerful right hands, showing his strength and skill in the ring.
McGann, with former world title challenger Martin Murray in his corner, tried to push Gilley back in the third round but was unable to gain the upper hand. In the fourth round, McGann backed Gilley onto the ropes but left himself open to a devastating right hand from Gilley. The blow sent McGann to the canvas, prompting the referee to wave off the fight and declare Gilley the winner.
After the fight, Gilley expressed his emotions in a post-fight interview, expressing his desire to fight on bigger platforms and take on the best in the sport. Promoter Frank Warren praised Gilley’s performance and expressed his excitement about working together to secure more fights for the talented boxer.
Gilley’s victory sets him up for a potential bout for the British title against Louis Greene, the original opponent he was supposed to face. With his impressive display in the ring, Gilley has proven that he belongs among the top contenders in his weight class and is ready to take on new challenges.
Overall, Sam Gilley’s win against Jack McGann showcases his skill, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity. As he sets his sights on bigger opportunities on the Riyadh Season Circuit, boxing fans can look forward to seeing more thrilling performances from this rising star in the sport.