Commonwealth super-welterweight champ Sam Gilley sizzles in Queensberry debut
Sam Gilley (18-1, 9 KOs) had a perfect start to his Queensberry Promotions career with a fourth-round technical knockout win over Jack McGann (10-2-1, 7 KOs).
The time of stoppage for this super welterweight contest was 0:58. With the victory, Gilley retains his Commonwealth title and makes his first defence of it.
Gilley won the belt in October last year with a unanimous decision win over Medway’s Louis Greene, whom Sam was supposed to rematch until an infection caused McGann to step in instead.
The bout headlined a Queensberry Promotions card at York Hall in London, England. Boxing fans in the UK could catch the action live on TNT Sports. Customers of TNT Sports could also watch on discovery+.
Gilley fought off the back foot in the opening round, countering when possible. McGann pressed forward, but was susceptible to punches to the head and got hit with a number of clean shots. It was not long before these defensive lapses got punished.
A double jab followed by a straight right sent McGann to the canvas in round two. Despite the knockdown and Gilley going on the offensive, McGann responded well with body shots and punches to the head. “The Pilgrim” had pockets of success, but it was Gilley who was doing the much better work offensively.
Gilley stunned McGann in round four with a one-two. The “Magic Man” pursued his stumbling opponent, landing several unanswered punches. Two massive right hands caused McGann to bend over forward with both of his gloves touching the canvas. It was at that point referee Darren Sarginson stepped in to wave off the contest.
There were two upsets on the undercard as former Prizefighter heavyweight champion Nick Webb (18-3, 14KO) forced unbeaten prospect Courtney Bennett (5-1, 2KO) to retire after round eight of their 10-round Southern Area heavyweight championship contest.
It was 37-year-old Webb’s first fight in three years; his last bout ended in a quick defeat to Fabio Wardley, his challenge for the English heavyweight title lasting just 150-seconds.
An even bigger upset was ‘The Norfolk Nightmare’ Tommy Fletcher (8-1, 6KO) being outpointed over eight-rounds by Latvian Milans Volkovs (11-3-2, 6KO).
The ‘Big Bad Wolf’ won with wide scores of 79-73. Trained by Mark Tibbs, the 22-year-old from Thetford had won all eight bouts since his professional debut in July 2022, just over two years ago, but coming up his second winning fighter proved fateful for the prospect.
There were wins for Queensberry prospects Royston Barney-Smith and Sam King.
Elliot Elimasi (1-0, 1 KO) won via second round technical knockout against Jairo Nustes (10-7, 4 KOs). The time of stoppage for this four-round light heavyweight fight was 1:44. A straight right hand sent Nustes to the canvas in round two. Seeing that he was not going to get up, referee Bernard Oyet put an end to proceedings.
Lloyd Farrington (6-0, 2 KOs) won via second round technical knockout against Jesus Lobeto (1-6-1, 0 KOs). The time of stoppage for this four-round super middleweight clash was 2:52. Lobeto went to the canvas from a barrage of punches in round two. Following a right hook and two left hooks, he went down again. Though Lobeto got up, referee Bates put an end to proceedings.
Ishtvan Herzheni (2-0, 0 KOs) won on points against Ryan Maycock (7-4, 1 KO). The score for this four-round middleweight contest was 39-37.