Magee inspired by Froch win
11 December 2008 – By Mark Doyle
Brian Magee enjoyed watching Carl Froch claiming the WBC super-middleweight title on Saturday night because it convinced him that he is capable of winning a major belt himself.
Froch stopped Magee in the 11th round when they met in a British title fight in May, 2006 but the Irishman had performed impressively up until he ran out of steam.
Consequently, Magee, who is back at 168lbs after a brief dalliance with the light-heavyweight division, feels that he can still make a major name for himself at super-middleweight, starting on Saturday night when he takes on current British champion Stevie McGuire.
“Its hard to argue against Carl Froch being the best super-middleweight in the world after Saturdays performance, so Ive taken confidence from the fact that I pushed him close to the wire when we fought,” Magee explained.
“Carl stopped me in the 11th round but two judges had me just one point behind at that stage and that was the first time I had been knocked out in my career.
“Carl is superb and won the world title last weekend and I believe I can win titles beyond domestic level.
“I should have got the decision in Germany when I fought Vitali Tsypko and hes waiting for a world title shot now.
“Im concentrating full on this fight but Im also looking ahead to where I want to go, which is where Carl Froch is.
“Ive had to come down a level to get fights and I even had an attempt at the light-heavyweight title, but I was never happy at that weight. I didnt feel myself in that fight, even though it was a controversial decision.
“McGuire is going to be ready for the fight of his life so Ive got to be on top of my game to get myself up there for bigger things which I believe Im capable of.”