Super-middleweight prospect Harry Woods reflects on his first TV fight

Harry Woods on his Ultimate Boxxer experience: “I’d do it again in a heartbeat”

Super-middleweight prospect Harry Woods (4-1) , from Maghull, Liverpool, boldly accepted a last-minute invitation to the Ultimate Boxxer 7 tournament , televised live on BT Sport and ITV4 on November 10 in London.

25-year-old Woods, a former England amateur representative with over 80 bouts experience, took the fight at just 10 days notice and was matched with MTK signed prospect Mike McGoldrick (7-1, 2KOs) in the second semi-final of the four-man super-middleweight knockout tournament, staged behind closed doors at the BT Sport Studios in Stratford.

The three-round contest was fought in close quarters and was easily the best fight of the night, with exciting exchanges traded for the full nine minutes of non-stop action.

In his first ever performance on TV, the decision from the three ringside judges all went the other way, meaning he wouldn’t advance to the final where former Southern Area champion Zak Chelli (9-1-1, 4KOs) was waiting, who went on to defeat McGoldrick to win the tournament.

Trained by Paul Stevenson at the talent-laden Everton Red Triangle Gym, Woods reflected on the experience, “It was a little but different, to be honest, but I didn’t mind it. I didn’t read too much into all that, but it just felt a little bit different. I didn’t pay any attention to any of the cameras, I just focused on the fight ahead.”

Despite the unanimous decision defeat, the contest was extremely close, with unbeaten McGoldrick, 35 from Cumbria, doing just enough to sway the judges.

Superior in range and height, Woods explained why he didn’t take full advantage of his assets, “I think when I started off I was trying to keep him on end of the jab but only had three rounds and wanted to push the pace to make sure I was winning the rounds.

“He’s a good fighter, he was busy wasn’t he. It would make for a good fight over longer rounds, I think.

“I knew it was close, it’s always hard to gauge round by round when you’re in there, but I knew it was a close fight and was just hoping I was getting through to the final.

“I haven’t watched it back properly yet; I’ll watch it back with Paul [Stevenson] and assess it then. I think if I had got through to the final, I would have had something more to give. I felt ok after the fight, so I would have been good to go for the final.”

Despite the disappointment of suffering his first pro career defeat, the optimistic youngster was grateful for the invaluable experience regardless, “It was all a bit mad, the TV cameras and the setup, but I didn’t mind it and felt quite focused, but it was a good experience, very organised show and professional. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”

Woods also acknowledged the disappearance of his unbeaten record and what effect it could have on his career going forward, “I don’t think it means a lot, I’d always take them kind of fights. I think the way the world is at the minute, you’ve got to take every opportunity you can.

“I’ll probably be back in the gym with Paul next week. The plan, I think, is just to get back out there fighting whatever, it’s hard to say at the moment because of everything that’s going on, but just want to keep on fighting and just keep pushing on.”

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