Peter McGrail decisions former British champ Marc Leach
Peter McGrail (9-1, 5KO) outpointed Marc Leach (18-4-1, 5KO) in his home city of Liverpool last night, April 27, in the headlining slot of Matchroom Boxing’s NXTGEN show.The Scouse southpaw bounced back after defeat in his last fight in America to Ja’Rico O’Quinn, where he was winning comfortably after scoring two knockdowns, then got caught in the fifth and couldn’t recover.
Against Leach, McGrail prevailed with scores of 99-91 twice and a complete shutout at 100-90.
The 27-year-old former Olympian was clever and calculated during the 10-round contest, yet still aggressive, but displaying caution whilst overwhelming and outboxing his opponent.
Leach was on the backfoot, defensive, covering up, just popping up with counters every so on. McGrail was a whirlwind with his big left and right hooks, sinking them in to body and head, and remained well covered up whenever he stepped out.
Unfortunately, the home fighter picked up a mall cut above his right eye in the final minute of the fight. However, he was a level above Leach, so it’s a valuable 10-rounds banked for the former outstanding amateur, who won Gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Promoter Eddie Hearn commented, “There was a lot on the line tonight. Ja’Rico O’Quinn is the fight that we really have to put right, but we’re not gonna wait around for it at the same time.
“He’s contracted to a rematch, we’ll hold him to that as well, he got the opportunity in Pheonix, but in the spirit of Matchroom vs Queensberry, I love the Dennis McCann fight as well.
“He’s a really goo fighter, Peter McGrail’s a really good fighter, but that’s a really top, top domestic fight between two really, really skilful, talented lads.
“Small break, then straight back, hopefully for the Ja’Rico O’Quinn fight, and, who knows, in September maybe a little British title dustup with Dennis McCann.”
Trained by Paul Stevenson at the talent-laden Everton Red Triangle gym in Albion Street, Liverpool, McGrail’s teammate Brad Strand just challenged McCann for the Lonsdale belt in April.
“Yeah, I’d love [the fight],” McGrail accepted. “Obviously, he’s just boxed one of my stablemates so I was there watching the fight, and I’ve seen Dennis over the year cos he’s the same weight as me.
“That’s a fight we’d love. Obviously he’s got the British title, I believe I’m the best in Britain, so yeah let’s get it on.”
Undercard
‘The Beast’ Beatriz Ferreira made history against Yanina del Carmen Lescano by winning the vacant IBF World lightweight title in just her fifth fight. An accidental clash of heads in the fifth, caused the fight to be halted before the sixth stanza, with the Brazilian awarded with a technical decision win.
31-year-old Ferreira’s first world title was confirmed by 59-55, 59-55, 58-55 on the scorecards and is now a two-time world champion.
A left uppercut from Rotherham’s Junaid Bostan downed Jack Martin in the eighth round, prompting referee Marcus McDonnell to step in and stop the 10-round contest early.
The southpaw known as ‘Star Boy’ now moves up to 9-0 with seven stoppages.
There were points wins for Maisey Rose Courtenay, Joe McGrail, Frankie Stringer and Stephen Clarke.
Walsall’s super-flyweight debutant Hamza Uddin kicked off his pro career in style with a third-round knockout of Frenchman Santiago San Eusebio.
