Lee Gormley insists his current BUI Celtic title defeat to Teo Alin was removed from the “comfy win” some have recommended—and says the electrical Belfast battle has solely strengthened his starvation to chase home honours.
Gormley fought Alin in an exciting, high-tempo warfare earlier this month, a battle he believes was a lot nearer than some Alin followers and one set of scorecards recommended.
“It ended up an ideal home battle, simply as we anticipated,” Gormley informed Irish-boxing.com. “It was a far nearer battle than what the judges—particularly that one official specifically—had scored it. I used to be underestimated because the underdog and away fighter, however that solely motivated me extra.
“Teo’s an excellent fighter and he began sharp, however we saved the stress on and completed strongly. The post-fight narrative from their facet that it was comfy for them wasn’t true. There have been loads of apprehensive faces at ringside all through.”
Regardless of the sting of a slim defeat, Gormley takes pleasure in what the pair delivered for followers on the Devenish.
“It was an excellent scrap and we placed on a present,” he stated. “There are all the time little changes you assume you possibly can’ve made early on, however he bought the consequence. It was his night time, truthful play and properly carried out to them.”
The English-based Irish fighter had by no means boxed on residence soil earlier than, making the event much more significant.
“It was truthfully surreal,” he stated. “I’ve by no means been as centered and hyped for a battle as I used to be in Belfast. It was a particular night time to have family and friends there for the primary time. I embraced the ambiance going into the ultimate rounds and the gang actually helped me rally late on.”
The current title challenger anticipated Alin to field conservatively early however relished the heated exchanges that developed late.
“We knew he wouldn’t stand and commerce from the beginning—that’s not his model,” he defined. “When it did get heated and we had been buying and selling late on, I used to be having fun with the thrill of all of it. The final couple of rounds had been electrical. It was an ideal battle to be concerned in.”
Whereas a rematch with Alin seems unlikely within the quick future, Gormley’s home title ambitions stay firmly intact.
“The Celtic or Irish titles have been and nonetheless stay a purpose of mine,” he stated. “Judging by what they had been saying afterwards, their plan is to push on for larger names and titles shortly. So a rematch most likely isn’t of their ideas. However I’d all the time be open to working it again down the road. Get an Irish title concerned too—extra rounds and more cash in our pockets.”
Gormley additionally revealed {that a} transfer to featherweight for one more Celtic title shot has already been mentioned.
“Going after the Celtic title at featherweight is a chance. It’s one thing that was introduced up some time in the past, in order that may very well be one to focus on in 2026. I’ve bought much more to push on for.”
