Hennessy Boxing: No Pain, No Gain For Purdy

Colchester’s Lee “Lights Out” Purdy spent Christmas licking his wounds following the first defeat of his career in December. Having remained unbeaten in his first ten starts, Purdy lost a thrilling Southern Area Light Welterweight title scrap with seasoned campaigner Peter McDonagh live on ITV4.

The fact that the high octane ten rounder was a domestic thriller did nothing to ease his disappointment.

“It was a great fight but it shouldn’t have been a great fight," said Purdy. "All respect to Peter McDonagh, but I should have dominated that fight from start to finish and made it easy. He was catching me clean in there time and time again. I’m lucky he’s not a big puncher because if he was, I could have got hurt.

“I was gutted afterwards and people were coming up to me and saying that it was the best fight they’d seen in ages but that was no consolation whatsoever. It’s very hard to accept your first defeat, but I’ve no complaints about the decision; McDonagh deserved it, he’s a good pro and he won the fight fair and square."

Purdy will have the opportunity to get back to winning ways on February 28 when he takes on Leonard Lothian on the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s first European Lightweight title defence at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich.

“I learned a painful lesson in the McDonagh fight and it’s made me realise just how much I want to make a success of my pro career so hopefully it can be the making of me," said Purdy.

"If I’m honest with myself, I hadn’t prepared right for that fight. Training had gone well and I was ready to do the 10 rounds but I didn’t do the weight properly and that cost me.

“I cut the weight too quick and my trainer Tony Sims could see it in the corner on the night. From the third round, I had nothing left and I paid the price for that. The good thing is that I’m still only 21 so it’s better to learn these lessons early in your career instead of later on because I can get out of the bad habits now.

Purdy is already gunning for a rematch with McDonagh, but says fight fans shouldn’t expect another thriller. “If I prepare right then I know I can make it an easy fight," he said.

"I underestimated McDonagh last time, but I won’t be making that mistake again. Once I get Lothian out of the way, I’d love another crack at McDonagh. I’m a lot more focused now since that defeat and it’s made me realise how much I want to make a real success of my career.”

Featuring on the exciting undercard: Danny McIntosh vs. Matthew Barney for the English Light Heavyweight title, subject to Board approval, also appearing new heavyweight sensation Tyson Fury, Matthew Thirlwall and making his pro debut, ABA Senior Featherweight Champion 2008 Bradley Evans of Royston.
Tickets for Purdy vs. Lothian, which is part of the undercard of Jon Thaxton’s first European title defence at the Norfolk Showground, Norwich on February 28 are available from the Ticketline box office on 0871 424 4444 or via www.ticketline.co.uk.