Lee McGregor succumbed to a first career to defeat at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh losing over the 12 round distance to Mexico’s Erik Robles Ayala.
It was his first fight under the Wasserrman banner in front of a small hall style near sold-out home crowd. Losing on all three judges scorecards, many ringside believed he should have got he nod. However, none were too concerned when the Mexican’s hand was raised after an action packed 12 rounds.
“He looked good, it was a fight of the year candidate.” McGregor’s promoter Nisse Sauerland said in an exclusive interview for ProBox TV. “It was very close, it is one of those things, I’m not going to argue about losing. He is heartbroken right now, he thinks everything is over. But it is not! It is just the beginning, millions of people tuned into watch that and they will want to watch that again. Great crowd in here tonight and they will want to watch him again. It is the start of something special, he just needs to get back in the gym soon. Take a little bit of time off, clear his head and come back stronger. We are going for the rematch. That is what we will do, enforce the rematch.”
McGregor returned home to challenge Robles for a vacant IBO super bantamweight title in his native Edinburgh for the first time since his debut on Josh Taylor's undercard. The historic city usually sits in the shadow of Glasgow when promoting boxing. However, it was clear that McGregor and Wasserman will be back to the Scottish capital soon.
“I haven’t been here for 13 years.” Sauerland said of his first event in the Scottish capital. “I really like it here, I’ve walked around a lot, lots of hills and stuff. My wife actually fell in love with me in this city. I’ve had a great time and the people are brilliant.”
The defeat brings McGregor’s record to 12-1-1 (9 KOs) and was clearly distraught following the announcement as he slumped to the canvass.
