BARROW boxer gives his thoughts after his first professional loss, a fight he took on 10 days’ notice.

Mike McGoldrick was live on BT Sport and ITV when he took on high level competition in a small tournament which saw him face two bouts in one night (November 10).

The 35-year-old didn’t have much time to celebrate his unanimous points victory over a true test in Harry Woods before he faced a game Zak Chelli in the final.

‘Goldie’ took his semi-final bout, a fight of the night contender, 29-28, 29-28, 30-27, but this three round war took it’s toll as the next fight proved too much.

The Barrow native tired in the latter parts of the first round and conceding a knockdown. He was floored twice more in the second round before the referee called it off.

Looking back on the Ultimate Boxxer event, the Super-middleweight said he was focused on the first fight, and felt if he had more time to prepare, as his opponents did, he would have had an alternative game plan to go to.

“If I Had had since March to prepare which the winner Zak Chelli had, I would have been able to go through game plans and make adjustments,” he said.

“I had a short amount of time to prepare how I would beat Harry Woods and not much time to think about what would happen if I got to the final.”

Reflecting on the loss, which leaves his record at 7-0 (two KO’s), McGoldrick said: “It has taken a lot of pressure off, it sounds weird, but when you get beat the expectation is taken off your shoulders. Not that I am not bothered I got beat, obviously I am gutted about that.

“I think people think too much about a zero on your record nowadays.

“Now I have been beat I feel that pressure and expectation has been lifted off me.”

“I found it easier to focus on the fight, as normally you have loads of people messaging you asking questions and asking for an extra ticket.

“If you are boxing without a crowd you know they are just sat on their couch at home so that takes the pressure off in a way.”

Looking ahead he is getting back into the gym in a couple of weeks after picking up a minor injury in the first fight against Harry Woods, and is hoping the showcase on national television will bring him some challenging match ups in the future. McGoldrick thanked all his sponsors: Cumbria Strength & Conditioning, James Henry Tyson – Barber, Furness Tiles & Flooring, DS Fitness, The Unit Body, Goldbet Racing, Subplot Records, Sian May Massage, NC Meats, Flash Electrical Consultancy, Lakes UPVC and Glazing.

They all chipped in last minute to get him through his medicals so he could get there and compete.