Massive for him, but more on the line for me – Defeat could force retirement on Gallagher

No doubt Liam Wells has an opportunity to change his career drastically at the Ulster Hall tonight yet, while that isn’t the case for Paddy Gallagher, the Belfast favourite admits the bout is ‘massive’ for him too.

The English prospect, a former kickboxing world champion, can raise his stock significantly if he manages to scalp the popular ‘Pat Man’ on the ESPN+ broadcast #MTKFightNight.

However, considering he takes a significant step up after just five fights, ‘Wellsy’ Wells [5(2)-0] will be forgiven for defeat and can certainly come again.

Lenadoon welter Gallagher [15(9)-5(0)] argues the same can’t be said if he suffers defeat. The Commonwealth Games gold medal winner admits defeat would make retirement all but inevitable.

Having suffered a loss to Freddy Kiwitt, a reverse the fighter contests, in WBO European ranking title action last time out the bubbly character doesn’t believe he can afford another setback so soon.

“It’s a massive chance for him but there’s more on the line for me than there is him,” Gallagher told Irish-Boxing.com ahead of the crossroads clash.

“If I was to get beat then I’d probably have no other option than to retire considering the position I’m in. For him – if he gets beat then that was expected and he can come back quickly and move on.”

In fact victory may not be enough for the Gerrard McManus trained former BUI and BBBofC Celtic champion.

Although he hasn’t shown any signs of it in the build up, Gallagher believes he is under pressure to win well and thinks he needs be stopping the 24-year-old former kickboxer.

“This win isn’t a massive thing – unless it’s a tip top performance and knockout – so I just need to take care of that and then the MTK lads can get me more.”

If anyone knows things don’t always go to script it’s Gallagher, who had the most bizarre of Prizefighter experiences and has contentious defeats on his record. With that in mind, he is keeping an open mind to what may stand in front of him at the Ulster Hall tonight.

“I know a little about him. He’s a fighter that I should definitely beat and be too much for but it doesn’t always work out that way so I’m more than ready for whatever he throws at me. He has said next to fuck all in the build up! I don’t know what his craic is but he is really confident and coming for nothing other than the win.”

Gallagher has looked fresh, fit and for a fighter making weight, has managed to remain his jovial self in fight week. He admits he has had to change his approach to pre fight camp and that may have played a part.

“Camp was a lot different from usual but it was very good. I had a talk with Jamie Conlan and he agreed that when you’re a bit older, and it kills me to say this, less can be more.”

“So it wasn’t as intense but more quality over quantity”

Photo Credit: Steven Morton – Boxing Tickets NI