Manchester based trainer Joe Gallagher has seen his fair share of controversy during his extensive career. This past weekend Gallagher was with his charge, Macaulay McGowan (17-3-2) on the BOXXER and All Star Boxing FR co-promotion in Paris where Tony Yoka and Carlos Takam headlined.
Mcgowan was the better fighter against the undefeated Farrhad Saad according to most who watched the fight. However, the Whythenshawe man had to make do with a majority decision draw in the French capital.
“I did feel like grabbing the mic and going to the judges and asking - How did you score that fight a draw or a win and put it on them! I had to cool down for a quick second.” Said Joe Gallagher in an exclusive interview for Probox TV News.
“When you go on the road, some of these promoters do things to get under your skin. When the fight was put to us, we only had two or three weeks notice. We moved up two weight divisions for the opportunity! I thought Macaulay boxed really well with his punch selection. At the end of the fight I had it five rounds to two and one even in Macaulay’s favour and that’s being generous!
“When the judges started taking their time, I did think they are going to rob the kid here. I want to know who the judge was who gave it to the French lad. He needs struck off and suspended. In the ring I was absolutely fuming! Poor kid, he took the chance away from home and gambled. He works on a building site everyday, I thought he was going to get his break! Come home with his win and he’s in line for a title. There was outrage on social media where Macaulay was trending. Because of the controversy, it's boosted his profile."
An age old problem that forever seems to curse the sport, Gallagher continued on the ramifications the result may have on McGowan’s career.
“That fella who gave Saad the five rounds, he needs struck off he does. It’s shocking it effects peoples lives. Macaulay was back on the building site Monday morning.”
