PADDY Gallagher was on the verge of retirement after losing to Freddy Kewitt in a WBO European Welterweight title rumble in February.
That fight at York Hall could have been the breakthrough ‘Padman’ was looking for but instead he had a frustrating night against the back-pedalling, elusive German who got his shots off and stayed out of trouble.
Gallagher stalked him relentlessly but couldn’t close the distance often enough and tonight he takes on up-and-coming Liam Wells who stopped Sam Obidi on the undercard at York Hall. Gallagher knows he needs to win impressively to push on in his career.
“If I get beat it’s effectively the end of my career,” he said.
“Two losses on-the-bounce at 30 years of age and losing to someone at 5-0… Climbing all the way back up is not something I want to do. After the Kewitt fight I said: ‘That’s me done’ but a few days later I said: ‘Nah, I want to go back in again’.
“Then they offered me this fight and I said: ‘Not a problem’. If he runs I’ll know not to go chasing him, I’ll cut off the ring. And if he comes towards me… It’s his funeral.”
Tonight’s bill.
WBC International Super-lightweight title: Tyrone McKenna (18-1-1) v Darragh Foley (17-13-1) Vacant WBO European Light Heavyweight title: Steven Ward (11-0) v Liam Conroy (17-4-1)
Welterweight: Lewis Crocker (8-0) v Karim Aliliche (11-8-2)
Welterweight: Paddy Gallagher (15-5) v Liam Wells (5-0)
Middleweight: Caoimhin Agyarko (3-0) v Paul Allison (6-2-1)
Super-middleweight: Taylor McGoldrick (3-0) v Genndai Stserbin (1-4)
Super-welterweight: Owen O'Neill (1-0) v Geiboord Omier (4-40-1)
