THE career of Jordan Gill is now being looked at in a new light after his stunning win last night against Michael Conlan in Belfast.
Walking into the SSE Arena Gill was the underdog and Conlan a long odds-on favourite who was expected to get his career back on track with a win. But whoever lost this super-featherweight matchup was looking at a possible retirement from the sport. Those questions are now hanging over Conlan’s head having been stopped in the seventh round by Gill. The result was Conlan’s third stoppage defeat in just over 18 months.
Gill’s new-look front foot fighting style, with new trainer Barry Smith in his corner, proved too much for Conlan, 18-3 (9), to handle with the 2012 Olympic bronze medallist knocked down in the second round. The 32-year-old hometown favourite fought on valiantly but did not have the power at 130lbs to hurt Gill or the whiskers to survive what was coming back at him.
Having won the biggest fight of his career Gill, 28-2-1 (9), is aiming for a world title shot at 130lbs and the 29-year-old told Boxing News which of the champions interest him.
“I think Joe Cordina and me would be a great fight. I’ve put myself on that level after that win. He’s a British fighter, I’m a British fighter. I really like Joe Cordina, he’s a great fighter. If you want to win a world title these are the guys you’ve got to beat. There’s no beef between me and him. I think he’s a sound guy but that’s a massive fight.”
Cordina, who holds the IBF super-featherweight strap, is four weeks removed from his first defence against Edward Vazquez in Monte Carlo. The Welshman was taken the distance after a spirited effort from Vazquez who matched Cordina in many departments and felt aggrieved at being on the wrong end of a majority decision.
Speaking to BN Gill said he now plans to have a week’s rest before the opening of his new gym – Box Cross – in Wisbech on December 9. The Chatteris boxer is now looking on the bright side of life having gone through a difficult time in his personal life. Gill bravely opened up on his struggles during his post-fight interview with DAZN’s Jamie Ward inside the SSE Arena last night
“I broke up with my wife,” he explained. “I was in a field. I drank a litre of vodka, and I was going to kill myself. I’ve turned my life around.”
Gill was asked backstage by BN how difficult it had been to deal with the task of facing Conlan while going through a challenging time personally.
“Yeah, it’s always a challenge,” he replied. “There’s always stuff going on in life. Every day is a new challenge, and you just have to get through it. If I can do it, anyone can.”