Re-match plea (From Dudley News)

Re-match plea

A DEVASTATED Darren McDermott is pleading for a re-match after his long-awaited British title shot was cut short at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

McDermott was pulled out of the contest by referee Howard Foster a minute into the second round after he suffered a cut below his left eye following a clash of heads with champion Wayne Elcock.

Manager Dean Powell has now sent off the video to the British Board of Control in a bid to earn "Macca" a chance for revenge.

It is hoped the 29-year-old gas fitter will be remain mandatory challenger for the middleweight title.

After reflecting on the stoppage McDermott remained philosophical and is determined to get back into action in his life-long dream to get his hands on the Lonsdale belt.

He said: "I'm obviously gutted because there is no doubt in my mind that I would have won this fight.

"I've watched it back twice now on the TV and that's just confirmed it for me, I hit him with a couple of left jabs and uppercuts and I could see in his eyes I had hurt him.

I don't think he could have beaten me over 20 rounds, nevermind two.

"At the end of the day Wayne has done his job.

"If he had have beaten me I'd have said fair enough, I'd have shook his hand, congratulated him and I'd have probably had a drink with him afterwards.

"If he is the best in the British scene, then lets get it on again, I don't care where I fight him.

"I just hope we can get a re-match so we can sort this out fair and square."

The nasty-looking cut McDermott suffered is likely to take a couple of months to heal but his camp believe he should be back in action by October.

The Dudley destroyer has also been handed a public show of support with calls from fans clammering for tickets and dates for a possible re-match.

Following McDermott into the ring on Friday was Jamie Ball, making his long awaited debut.

The 24-year-old delighted his big band of supporters with a comfortable 40-36 points victory over Rotherham's Paul Royston.

There was better news for the McDermott camp at the NIA on Saturday evening as young stablemate Richard Collins kept his unbeaten record intact.

Collins picked a 40-37 points win up over James Tucker on the Amir Khan undercard.