American based McLaughlin targets Irish title
New York based Donegal native Michael McLaughlin is hoping to strap an Irish title around his waist before the year is out.
McLaughlin was lined up to challenge the oldest ever Irish Champion Lee Murtagh for the light middleweight title, that Peter McDonagh now holds, around St Patrick’s Day before the Leeds native was forced to retire.
However, the American based pro, who has wracked up five wins over the last 12 months, hopes to set up another domestic date before the turn of the year.
Speaking after his most recent win over Pedro Gonzalez McLaughlin told Irish-boxing.com.
“I’m aiming to fight for the Irish welterweight title before the end of the year. I have been labelled light middle weight because I have been fighting above 147, but I am a welterweight if not a light welter. So if I get the chance to fight for that title it will be great.”
McLaughlin had hoped to fight again as early as June, but a cut over his eye in his last fight means July looks like the most likely return date. McLaughlin explains such was the cut he was worried the April fight was going to end as a no contest.”He was clashing his head against mine nearly every time we got in close and I think he cut my left eye at end of the third. We went out for the fourth and half way trough the round he nutted my right eye again. Straight away I could feel the blood. I couldn’t see through all the blood. The doctor had a look and was going to stop it. I asked him to let me get through this round. I knew I had to get the fourth done or it would have been a no contest or draw and lucky enough I was let finish the round. I went out and moved away for the rest and got the decision.”