A Nxtgen show takes place at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool this Saturday night, and home hope Peter McGrail looks to get back to winning ways in the headliner, a ten rounder at super bantamweight against former British champion, Marc Leach.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom promote McGrail vs Leach, and DAZN televise the card live.
2020 Olympian McGrail (8-1, 5 KOs) was making serene enough progress as a professional, and had banked two solid ten round wins prior to travelling to America last December to meet Ja’Rico Quinn.
All was going well for McGrail, as he floored Quinn in the second and fourth round, but walked on to a monster counter right hook in the fifth that knocked him out.
He was due to run it back with Quinn on Saturday night, but the Michigan native has withdrawn due to personal reasons , and in steps Salford’s Leach (18-3-1, 4 KOs).
The southpaw has impressive wins against Qais Ashfaq and Thomas Essomba, and won the vacant British belt in March 2022, outpointing Chris Bourke, but has lost his last two outings.
‘Livewire’ Leach was dropped and outscored by Liam Davies in his first title defence, and last time out he retired after seven rounds against Masood Abdullah.
Prediction: McGrail will learn from his lapse in concentration against Quinn, and he may adopt a safety-first approach early on here. I think the home fighter can force a late stoppage.
Ferreira meets Lescano for IBF title
There is world title action on the undercard, as 2020 Olympic Silver medallist Beatriz Ferreira (4-0, 2 KOs) attempts to become a world champion in just her fifth fight as she takes on Yanina del Carmen Lescano (14-3, 4 KOs) for the vacant IBF lightweight title.
Brazil’s Ferreira is coming off an eighth round knockout of Destiny Jones last December, and has excelled in her fledgling career thus far.
𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕭𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝖋𝖗𝖔𝖒 𝕭𝖗𝖆𝖟𝖎𝖑 🇧🇷💥@BFerreira60kg moves to 4-0… Dropping Jones before the fight was waved off in San Francisco on her Birthday! 🎉#HaneyPrograis pic.twitter.com/VY0uaUM55p
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) December 10, 2023
Lescano’s most recent losses came via split decision to Estelle Mossely in 2022, and to Caroline Dubois last June, losing every round of eight and dropped in the fifth frame.
She returned to her homeland last December with a points win, but is fortunate to receive a world title shot.
Prediction: Ferreira should become the new champion with a wide points win.
Remaining Undercard
Junaid Bostan (8-0, 6 KOs) moves up to ten round level for the first time, and the super welterweight may need to go the distance to see off Jack Martin (9-1, 4 KOs).
In eight rounders, Joe McGrail (9-0, 5 KOs) can take a points win at featherweight against Ryan Walker (12-6, 3 KOs), and Maisey Rose Courtney (5-0, 0 KOs) should do the same at flyweight against Giuseppina Di Stefano (7-2-1, 1 KO).
Eye-watering body attack 😳
Joe McGrail in support to older brother @peter_mcgrail this Saturday ✨#McGrailWalker | @DAZNBoxing | #McGrailLeach pic.twitter.com/zGEdXiIATK
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) April 24, 2024
In six round action, Frankie Stringer (6-0, 0 KOs) should prevail on the cards again, this time against Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira (6-7, 5 KOs) at flyweight, and debutant Hamza Uddin should also win on points at super flyweight against Santiago San Eusebio (3-7-2, 2 KOs).
