Peter McGrail’s cold revenge has to be put on ice for now
Four months on from his heart-breaking and surprising loss to Ja’Rico Quinn, across the pond, and former Team GB Olympian Peter McGrail is seeking to bounce back in a big way.
However, despite initially confirming an immediate rematch with his American counterpart, the scouse slickster will now take on an alternative challenge instead.
27-year-old McGrail won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games but came unstuck at Tokyo 2020, as he was eliminated in the round of 32 against the World No.1.
One year later, the southpaw debuted in the professional ranks and swiftly racked up a record of 8-0 within two years, before travelling stateside for his first fight across the Atlantic, on the Rodriguez-Edwards card back in December.
The talented technician dominated the first four rounds of the bout, dropping O’Quinn on two occasions and winning every round, but was caught with an brain-trembling shot from the Detroit man that resulted in one of the knockouts of the year.
Soon after, it was confirmed that the victorious O’Quinn would be brought over to rematch McGrail in Liverpool, but Matchroom Boxing have now announced that he has been forced to pull out of the contest, and has instead been replaced by former British super-bantamweight champion Marc Leach.
ℹ️ @peter_mcgrail will now face former British Super Bantamweight Champion Marc Leach in Liverpool on Apr 27
Thoughts with Ja'Rico O'Quinn who withdraws from the fight due to personal family matters 👊#McGrailLeach | @DAZNBoxing | #NXTGENpic.twitter.com/Vjt2YYgFic
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 4, 2024
“@peter_mcgrail will now face former British Super Bantamweight Champion Marc Leach in Liverpool on Apr 27 Thoughts with Ja’Rico O’Quinn who withdraws from the fight due to personal family matters.”
Leach outpointed Chris Bourke to claim the Lonsdale Belt back in 2022, but lost it just three months later against Liam Davies, a defeat that is ageing like a fine wine following Davies’ rise through the division.
Back in October, Leach stepped up to try his hand at featherweight, but was stopped for the first time in his career by Masood Abdulah, prompting a move back down to 122lbs.