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Joke verdict

Dave Lawrenson
29/ 5/2008

ONE of the worst decisions in boxing history has tarnished what should have been the happiest day in Thomas McDonagh’s life.

The 27-year-old Prestwich boxer became a daddy for the first time on Saturday morning.

And McDonagh was certainly the daddy in his English Light Middleweight title fight with Andrew Facey on Saturday night.

McDonagh showed more aggression than the English title holder on Ricky Hatton’s comeback show at the City of Manchester Stadium as well as far superior boxing skills. But, to everyone’s amazement, the referee ruled the 10-rounder to be draw.

McDonagh said: "I couldn’t believe it when I heard the verdict. I didn’t think that I lost a single round.

"I have not been happy with most of my performances over the last few years but that was certainly not the case on Saturday night.

"I am really proud of how I performed. Andrew Facey is someone that no one likes to fight. He is not only a good fighter and a tough opponent but the fact that he has an awkward and gangly style makes him really difficult to look good against.

"But my trainer Brian Hughes and I came up with a game plan to beat him and, for once, I stuck to it.

"I made Facey look very ordinary. I was more aggressive than he was and I got on top of him. Anyone who saw the fight will say that I should have won it on points.

"It wasn’t even close. On Sky television Jim Watt had me six rounds ahead going into the final round.

"And my promoter Frank Maloney was going crazy when the draw verdict was announced. He says that it was the worst decision he has ever seen.

"But I am not too upset about it. How can I be when my wife Lyndsey has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl?

"She weighed 7lbs 2ozs and we have called her Lola Mae.

"I missed the birth because Lyndsey was in labour throughout the night and I needed to get some sleep because of the Facey fight the next day.

"As it was, I couldn’t sleep. The baby was born at 8.55am and I went to see her in hospital until 12 noon.

"I then had to concentrate on the fight, which wasn’t easy. My head was all over the place.

"But I managed to box well and I went to see my wife and daughter straight after the fight. I may have been robbed with the decision but I am a very lucky man."

McDonagh threw plenty of impressive combinations against the Paulo Wanchope of professional boxing.

He had plenty of joy with both hands and Sheffield fighter Facey was wobbled on several occasions.

McDonagh, who has only lost one of his 35 professional fights, said: "I just hope that the British Boxing Board will take note of how well I fought and give me the British title shot that I desperately want.

"If not, they may give me a rematch with Facey. I would welcome that too as I know that I would beat him in the rematch, just like I did on Saturday.

"I’ve fallen victim to the referee simply making a bad decision on the night. But at least people are talking about me this week having either seen the fight at the stadium or on Sky television and, hopefully, that will open some doors for me in the future."