Jordan Gill revealed how he contemplated suicide after his loss to Kiko Martinez last year – but has now injected new life into his career.
The Cambridgeshire fighter pulled off a stunning upset to stop Belfast favourite Michael Conlan in his own backyard on Saturday night. Gill, 29, had been out of the ring for 14 months after his second career defeat saw him lose the European featherweight title to veteran Martinez.
But with his dad, Paul, now in his corner among a new training team, he was refreshed at super-featherweight to stop Conlan’s own comeback bid.
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Then he revealed the depth of his battle out of the ring since that loss last year. “Not many people know what I've been through this year,” Gill said. “After the Kiko [Martinez] loss I lost touch with myself. I broke up with my wife and on the June 30, I was in a field after drinking a litre of vodka and was going to kill myself.
"Somebody came and saved me that day… My Dad has been by my side and my friends and my family have been there supporting me. All my friends, I can't thank you enough. I've just changed my life.
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“I've got my own gym opening next week with my friend Damien. I've turned my life around in the last four months and it's just because of [my head]. If you're thinking 'what am I doing with my life?' you can do it, you can make a change Just get up and have that belief in yourself and go and do it because nobody believed I could do this but I did and that's all that matters."
Conlan is now contemplating retirement after his hopes of going on the trail for a third world title shot. The Irishman, 32, was floored in the second round before he was stopped in the seventh by referee Howard Foster.
The defeat comes after two failed world title bids against Leigh Wood and Luis Alberto Lopez in the last 20 months. Conlan had recently signed a new promotional agreement with Eddie Hearn but the promoter admitted it will be tough for his man to come back from this third career loss.
The Belfast man said: “Just wasn't my night. Congratulations to Jordan Gill who was victorious tonight. Belfast, as always, thank you from the bottom of my heart for turning out in your numbers again. I'm going to take some time out and be with my family."
Over in America, Ryan Garcia stopped Oscar Duarte in the eighth round of their clash in Texas and is now aiming for WBA light-welterweight champion Rolando Romero. Garcia, 25, was back in the ring for the first time following his only career defeat against Gervonta Davis. It was also his first fight with new trainer Derrick James.
"I'm committing to becoming a world champion," Garcia said. "That felt like a fight to me, like I'm figuring myself out as a fighter and I'm excited to keep improving with [new trainer] Derrick [James]. "I want to become a champion, that's my goal. I want Rolly to be honest.”
For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.
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