‘Absolutely’ – Matty Boreland Backed to Return to the Title Picture

Matty Boreland can return to title contention in 2027 despite suffering a dramatic stoppage defeat at Croke Park last month, declares his manager.

The former Irish super bantamweight champion suffered a first career defeat on the massive Katie Taylor farewell bout.

The massive breakout opportunity didn’t go his way as rising Matchroom prospect Jack McGrail literally stopped ‘Bam Bam’ in his tracks.

A perfectly placed body shot in the final seconds of the fifth round done for the IGB man.

For his manager, Ian Gaughran, however, the defeat should be viewed as a learning experience rather than a major career setback for the semi-pro graduate.

“He boxed really well. He was turning the tide in the fight,” Gaughran told Irish-Boxing.com.

“He can take little learnings from it. That’s all it is. He showed that he’s absolutely at that level.”

The manager also took solace from the fact his charge had been gaining momentum before the decisive body blow.

“We feel that we could have got him out a couple of rounds later because he was starting to tire,” he explained.

“It’s just a case of little learnings and don’t get caught with a shot.”

Boreland has now competed at both Windsor Park and Croke Park despite having only eight professional fights and two years in the paid ranks.

“To be able to fight on that stage, on that night, it’s incredible for someone with such little experience as a pro,” Gaughran comments.

“Overall it’s genuinely a feeling of pride. I’m very proud of him. He did everybody proud.”

The immediate priority is a return to winning ways before the end of the year, with Gaughran before beginning another climb up the rankings.

“He needs to be back to winning ways to get back into any sort of title contention anyway. He can challenge for titles next year.

“He’ll certainly be top 15 off a decent win. And yeah, we’ll absolutely be looking at rechallenging for titles in 2027. No doubt.”