Peter McGrail has declared that defeat is not in the cards as he prepares to clash with ex-British Super-Bantamweight Champion Marc Leach for the WBA International Title. This headline bout is part of Matchroom’s NXTGEN series at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool, set for this Saturday, April 27, with live coverage on DAZN globally.
McGrail, previously a celebrated amateur with a record of 8-1 and 5 KOs, aims to rebound after a startling knockout loss to Ja’Rico O’Quinn during the Jesse Rodriguez vs. Sunny Edwards event last December in Arizona. McGrail seemed poised for an easy victory until a devastating right hand in the fifth round turned the tables.
Despite the setback, McGrail, a Liverpool native and member of the Everton Red Triangle gym, was quick to seek a rematch against Detroit’s O’Quinn. However, circumstances shifted, and now the 27-year-old faces the Salford southpaw Leach (18-3-1, 4 KOs), looking to forge a path back to world title contention.
McGrail reflected on his loss as a harsh lesson, acknowledging the fleeting lapse that cost him dearly. “I had O’Quinn down twice. Everything was on track until that one solid punch took it all away,” he said. McGrail expressed a relentless desire to reclaim his title and deliver a resounding victory, though O’Quinn eventually withdrew from the rematch.
With his sights set on Leach, McGrail is gearing up for what he anticipates will be a challenging bout. “Every fight is a must-win, but after a loss, it feels even more critical,” McGrail stated. He promised a fierce return to the ring, fueled by the sting of his recent defeat.
The fight card for the night also boasts a slew of promising matches, including Beatriz Ferreira taking on Yanina del Carmen Lescano for the vacant IBF Lightweight World Title in Ferreira’s fifth professional bout. Other notable fights include Junaid Bostan against Jack Martin for the English Title and Commonwealth Silver Title, quick turnaround action for Liverpool’s Middleweight Ste Clarke, and bouts featuring Maiseyrose Courtney, Joe McGrail, debutant Hamza Uddin, and Frankie Stringer.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, April 27
- Start Time: 7:00 PM EDT (12:00 AM UK Time)
- Streaming: Live on DAZN
- Venue: Exhibition Centre Liverpool
Updated Fight Card:
- Peter McGrail vs. Marc Leach (WBA International Title)
- Beatriz Ferreira vs. Yanina del Carmen Lescano (IBF Lightweight World Title)
- Junaid Bostan vs. Jack Martin (Final Eliminator for the English Title, Commonwealth Silver Title)