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McDonagh eyes big improvement

1/ 5/2008

PRESTWICH fighter Thomas McDonagh has vowed to bounce back from ‘probably his worst ever performance’ by taking the English Light Middleweight title from Sheffield’s Andrew Facey later this month.

The 27-year-old was far from happy with the way he boxed in a recent points win against Holland’s Yassine El Maachi at Colne’s Municipal Theatre.

Due to boxing politics, the six-rounder was his first fight in 10 months and McDonagh knows that he will have to perform much better against the gangly and unorthodox Facey on the Ricky Hatton homecoming show at the City of Manchester Stadium on Saturday, May 24.

McDonagh, who has had 31 fights with his only defeat coming in a world title clash with Wayne Alexander, said: "I wasn’t happy after fighting Yassine and as soon as I walked into the changing room my trainer Brian Hughes was going mad with me because I didn’t do what he asked me to do and what I know I can do.

"Don’t get me wrong, he was a good, strong and awkward kid and he’ll give a lot of people some trouble in the future. But I just couldn’t get going.

"In a way, I’m glad because I came straight back into the gym and I’m ready and fit for Andrew Facey. I need to prove to everyone, including myself, that I can perform and it’s given me a bit of a challenge.

"A lot of boxers aren’t happy with their performances and the Yassim fight was probably the worst I’ve done. But perhaps that was because I hadn’t boxed for 10 months.

"But that’s behind me now and I’m looking forward to fighting at the City of Manchester Stadium. Andrew is another tricky opponent but these are the guys I’ve got to fight to get to where I want to be.

"I’ve got some videos of his fights. I’m studying them and I’ll be ready. I want to be the English champion and then go on from there."