Sam Gilley retains Commonwealth title with stoppage win

SAM GILLEY made a successful first defence of his Commonwealth super-welterweight title against Jack McGann at York Hall tonight.

The champion had been out of action for 12 months since winning the belt against Louis Greene in a domestic sizzler.

Greene went on to beat McGann in one round earlier this year and was set to face Gilley in a rematch tonight but withdrew due to injury.

The replacement tasted a trademark left to the body from Gilley early on in the opening round and was faced with a confident and smiling title holder. Gilley was the more relaxed while McGann looked to force his opponent on to the ropes where he could do his best work.

The challenger was in trouble in the next session when a double jab followed by a right down the middle floored him with a minute left in the round. Gilley sensed an early night’s work and went looking for victory but was faced by opposition which did not crumble and instead fought back to see out the three minutes.

After putting together a mixture of punches in the third Gilley was pressured on to the ropes where McGann had success in the previous round. The champion was not going to be bullied, however, and punched with the Liverpudlian to get back to the centre of the ring.

In the fourth Gilley, 18-1 (9 KOs), turned his debut for Queensberry Promotions into a memorable one by ending the contest after 58 seconds. That signature left hook downstairs warmed up the hands of the 30-year-old and then a short, jolting one-two sent McGann, 10-2-1 (7 KOs), into a world of trouble on his back foot. This time Gilley got the job done and swung with all his might forcing the referee to step in and end the bout ensuring the belt went back to Walthamstow with him.

“This is what I can do, I deserve to be here,” Gilley said afterwards.

“I deserve to be out in Saudi Arabia fighting the best people.”

“I’ve had a lot frustration,” he added. “I lost my Nan last Monday, this is for her.”

His new promoter Frank Warren said he plans to get the Gilley-Greene rematch rearranged with the vacant British title on the line.