Hennessy Boxing: Purdy Gets McDonagh Rematch

Lee “Lights Out” Purdy is planning to live up to his name this weekend and avenge the sole defeat of his career by knocking out Peter McDonagh.

The two men clash at the Watford Colosseum on Saturday night with the vacant Southern Area Welterweight title on the line in a rematch of their thrilling encounter from last December.

On that occasion McDonagh emerged victorious on a narrow points decision but Purdy is confident that there will be a different result second time around.

The bout features on a Hennessy Sport event which is headlined by the clash between Commonwealth Welterweight champ John O’Donnell and upset specialist Tom Glover.

The card is live on ITV4’s Big Fight Live from 7.35pm on Saturday but Purdy believes viewers expecting a repeat of his thrilling first fight with McDonagh will be disappointed.

“It won’t be anything like the last fight,” predicted the 22-year-old Colchester fighter. “It won’t be exciting this time around because it will be too one sided. I’m going to be too good for him and I’ll be looking to get him out of there early this time.”

Purdy was unbeaten in ten pro fights going into his first clash with McDonagh and despite the blemish on his record Purdy feels he’s a better fighter for the experience.

“He beat me fair and square last time but that was a different me back then,” said Purdy. “In a way I’m glad it actually happened because otherwise I would have kept doing the same things in terms of my preparations.

"I approach things completely different now and I feel one hundred times better for it. I’ve changed my whole approach to the sport and people are going to see a completely different fighter on Saturday night. I believe I can stop him in the mid to late rounds.”

John O’Donnell’s clash with Tom Glover tops the bill at the Watford Colosseum with the undercard also featuring unbeaten prospects Steve O’Meara, Bradley Evans and Bobby “Boogaloo” Ward alongside the latest prospects to role off the famous Brendan Ingle production line in Sheffield - heavyweight giant Richard Towers and the pro debut of Kid Galahad (subject to board approval). Exciting puncher Yassine “The Showman” El Maachi also features.

Tickets priced £35, £40 and £75 are available from the Ticketline box office on 0844 888 4402 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.