By Lee Collier
Back in May, Thomas McDonagh lost a close decision to Sam Webb in a British title eliminator, yet six months down the line, without a comeback fight he is fighting for the British and Commonwealth titles when he takes on Anthony Small on Friday night in Wigan.
The likeable Mancunian who fights out of Brian Hughes gym in Collyhurst is seen as a talented boxer who has yet to fulfil his potential. Could Friday night be the start of big things for the 28 year old?
BoxingScene.com caught up with McDonagh after a training session to see how his preparation had gone for Friday night.
“It’s gone very good, in fact it couldn’t have gone better. I have had a lot of different sparring partners, with one or two main sparring partners. The gym here is a busy one and we always have lots of guys in here so I have had loads of quality sparring.
“I have had loads of one on one sessions, and the last 5 or 6 weeks have all been about me really. If I want to go on the bags, pads, or sparring I get first choice and it’s gone really well.”
Both fighters are very tactical in their approach and the fight could very well end up being like a chess match.
“A few people think it’s going to be quite tactical, although I think he may come out blasting. I’m well prepared and it will suit me down to the ground if he comes out blasting, I like fighters coming to me and if he tries to be tactical and comes out boxing I’m up for that. I am quite clever myself and either way I am looking forward to it.”
London based Small is known as much for his verbal skills as his boxing skills. With the press conference and weigh-in coming up McDonagh explained what he was expecting form the brash Small.
“He’s going to talk giving it the big one, which is what he likes to do,” explained McDonagh. “We’ll see what happens on Wednesday. He might shock a few people and turn up and tell the truth for once instead of making things up and trying to goad his opponent.
“I’m a 28 year old lad who has been boxing since I was eight years old, I’ve had all kind of bull talked about me, he can say what he wants because deep down he’s a nice guy, he’s just doing it for show.
“Certain people deal with nerves certain ways, some people talk a lot, some people are quiet and some people just laugh like me, I’m not an idiot I won’t start getting mad because at the end of the day it’s boxing. We won’t end up having a fight because we’ll both get banned from boxing; it’s not my kind of thing. Friday night the bell will ring and we’ll see what happens.”
McDonagh who held a WBU title over four years ago whilst with Frank Warren appreciates what a win would do for him considering he is 28 years old.
“It will open a lot of doors, they are talking about Sam Webb, a rematch fighting him which is something I am looking forward too. Beating Anthony Small and winning the British title and then defending it against Sam Webb is what I want.”
Six months ago McDonagh lost on a close point’s decision to Sam Webb. Most fighters after a loss take an easy fight as their comeback. McDonagh explained why he has jumped in the deep end by fighting Small.
“The Webb defeat hasn’t dented my confidence, I knew what I had done wrong on the night. If you look at my fights after the Andrew Facey leading up to the Webb I was boxing well.
“I’d been boxing well in the gym and training well,” reflected McDonagh. “It was just on the night I didn’t do what I should have done. Maybe it happened for a reason, if I had got the decision against Webb maybe I would be in the position he is waiting for the mandatory shot, whereas now Small may think as I lost my last fight and he won his last then I am a stepping stone for him. If he does he has got it all wrong.”
