Kemnay boxer Mike Reid on the verge of quitting
Dilemma for Kemnay fighters
Published:
KEMNAY fighter Mike Reid today admitted he is considering quitting boxing following another defeat.
The 25-year-old light-welterweight suffered a knock-out on his comeback bout in May.
After two years away from the ring, Reid was stopped by Iran’s Ben Deghani just one minute 11 seconds into the second round.
Devastated at a fourth successive loss, Reid could call time on his pro career.
He said: “I have some very serious thinking to do as to whether I should continue boxing.
“My heart tells me to keep boxing, but I am not so sure that my head does.
“I love boxing, but losing that fight has been such a blow I really do not know if I will carry on.”
Due to his two-year lay-off, Reid has not won a fight since October 2005 when he beat Chris Brophy by second round knock-out.
“I was in fantastic shape and due to fight Craig Windsor at 10 stone 10lbs,” he said.
“Two days before the fight I got a call saying he could not make the weight and that it would go up to 10 stone 12lbs.
“Then they moved it up to 11 stone and he failed that, weighing in half-a-stone over.
“The opponent was then switched the opponent to Ben Deghani who was an absolute giant.
“The fight began well, but then it just went from one disaster to another.
“He caught me with a right hook over the top and it smashed into my temple, and I went to the canvas.
“But I was up quickly, my mind was not muddled and my legs were not wobbly.
“But my corner threw in the towel which was so disappointing, because I could have fought on.”
Reid enjoyed a successful amateur career and represented Scotland in various tournaments.
His first pro bouts were wins, but since 2005 he has been dogged by misfortune.
“Unfortunately, I had to undergo surgery on my right eye while I was away from the ring and that also held me back for a while,” he said.
“I suffered a nasty eye gash in a clash of heads with Tye Williams in 2006.
“It needed 12 stitches and then I had to get a further operation to remove scar tissue from the top and bottom of my eye.”
Reid signed professional forms with legendary ring promoter Tommy Gilmour, when he was 20 years old.
But he split with Gilmour, who has guided Lee McAllister to a Commonwealth title shot.
And since his career has gone downhill.
“The worst thing I did was split from Gilmour and go with Barry Hughes,” he said.
“I was young and wanted things to happen overnight.
“I have had texts before fights from people saying I won’t wish you luck because you will win.
“But sometimes in the boxing game you need luck, and I am not getting any.
“Despite those defeats I still have a 50/50 pro record and I know deep down in my heart I have a title in me.
“If someone would just give me a chance, and offer me a title fight with eight weeks to prepare, I know I would win it.
“Lee McAllister could defend his Commonwealth title against Gary McArthur.
“I knocked McArthur down in the second round in my last amateur fight at the Scottish Championships.
“That fight should have been a points win for me, but the judges went against me.
“He has gone on to be considered for a Commonwealth shot.
“All I need is a break.”
