After battling back from depression McGoldrick wants to go into battle with McCrory and Collins

Taylor McGoldrick [3(1)-1(1)] is finished licking his wounds and now wants to lick [in the 1920s American sense] Padraig McCrory [9(4)-0] and Steve Collins. [14(4)-3(1)-1].

McGoldrick suffered shock first round stoppage defeat at the gloves of Latvian journeyman Gennadi Stserbin in June and has been beyond down since.

The Tyrone southpaw admits he took the defeat badly, upset not only that he lost to an opponent he was suppose to deal with comfortably, but because it denied him the chance to fight McCrory on the massive Feile an Phobail card.

McCrory went on to stop Steve Collins Jr on the Mick Conlan undercard to claim the BUI Celtic title, but McGoldrick is adamant things would have been different if he, as initially planned, was the opponent.

Indeed, the 25-year-old is says he would have ‘easily’ beaten the new champ.

“I took the defeat really bad,” McGoldrick told Irish-boxing.com.

“I was drinking the head of myself and was in serious depression because it wasn’t like the man I fought was beating me around the ring. I was beating him and he caught me a freak shot. I still can’t get my head around it doing this Interview it shouldn’t of happened.

“Then that messed up my clash with Poddy McCrory for a title on the Mick Conlan bill. I believe I would beat him very easily. I thought Steve Collins jr was robbed of the title. He was winning most rounds and the fight was stopped premature.”

Now having come to terms with his shock reverse, McGoldrick is gunning for McCrory and Collins.

“I know what I’m capable and I want to push up through the ranks. After I get a six rounder and get a good win I want either Steve Collins or Poddy McCrory, they are in my sights,

“They’re both good fighters, but I rate Steve Collins as better boxer and tougher opponent for me. That’s just my opinion, but after a good six round win I will take whoever wants the fight between them two.”

McGoldrick’s six rounder looks set to take place on February 1, as he claims he is on the #MTKFightNight at the Ulster Hall.

The super middleweight southpaw, who will now be trained by Daniel Anderson, is excited to be back and itching to return to winning ways.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and putting this loss behind me. I want to get a good win. But I will be using my boxing skills and putting on a master class this time. If the knockout comes it comes but I won’t be chasing it.”

McGoldrick explains the defeat didn’t knock his confidence, as he is fully aware it was a mistake not talent that cost him.

However, the reverse does still eat at him and he has worked on certain things to make sure there is never a repeat.

“When I look back at my last performance I can’t believe I got caught such a freak shot when I was winning the round. It would of been different if he was beating me up but he wasn’t I was the one beating him.

“It didn’t really effect my confidence because I’m always confident going into fights and believe that I’m going to win,” he adds before revealing the things has focused on.

“I’ve been working on my foot work and my defence because my last fight it still angers me why I just didn’t stick to my boxing and it could have been such an easy night for me. I hurt him early and I saw red and was going for the knockout and it backfired on me.”