Sam Gilley Stops Jack McGann In Round 4, Big Battle Angles On Riyadh Season Circuit
It’s been a tough week for Sam Gilley. He lost his grandmother on Monday and had a change of heart on Wednesday.
Gilley didn’t let any of this affect him in the ring against Jack McGann. The returning junior middleweight scored a stunning fourth-round knockout to retain his Commonwealth title on Friday at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London.
The 30-year-old had not fought in a year since defeating Louis Greene (UD 12) and was expecting a rematch with the vacant British title on the line. However, when Greene left, McGann entered, who had to fight in six rounds at middleweight.
Gilley (18-1, 9 knockouts) started fast and got McGann’s attention in the opening round, especially landing a hard right hand that knocked his challenger back with a minute left in the round. He closed the round with a three-punch salvo that made McGann give up the world too late.
Gilley continued to assert his authority in secondary proceedings. McGann (10-2-1, 7 KOs) landed two right hands that sent him to the canvas. Although McGann beat the count, he looked unsettled for a while until he fought back.
That drew a smile from the defending champion who went back into the attack.
McGann, who had world title challenger Martin Murray in his corner, enjoyed his best round in the third by trying to push Gilley back.
That continued in the fourth when McGann backed Gilley up against the ropes. However, he caught his feet very slowly. Gilley landed a clubbing right hand that clearly hurt McGann, who backed away.
Gilley saw him for a second then pounced forcing McGann to seek refuge on the canvas. Referee Darren Sarginson, had seen enough and stopped the fight at 0:58 of the fourth round.
Afterwards an emotional Gilley shared his thoughts in a post-fight interview.
“Finally, I’m excited to finally get in the ring,” said Gilley. “I have announced myself to Frank and Queensberry. I deserve to be here, I deserve to be on these platforms. I deserve to come out of Saudi Arabia and fight the best people, get into them and I’m going to take them.
“When I needed you, I knew you would lead him to something. I’ve done apprenticeship battles and Frank and I are a team. I showed them what I can do, let’s keep collecting more belts and keep having nights like this.”
Hall of Fame promoter Frank Warren is pleased with what he sees in his latest addition to his stable.
“I’m over the moon, it was a good punch from a guy who came to fight and did it in style,” said the promoter. “Going forward, we will work together.
“We will try to find the fight that was supposed to be tonight [against Louis Greene). He wants to fight for the British title, that’s what we’ll do.”
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