Jag: I want to show what I’m capable of

Jag Purewal…first fight since suffering first pro defeat

LOOSE limbed, slippery welter Jag Purewal looks to get back to winning ways tomorrow (Saturday) after suffering his first pro defeat.

The slick Selly Oak fighter should do that against vastly experienced Michael Mooney – one of the game’s larger-than-life characters – at Edgbaston’s H Suite. The bout is over four rounds.

It will be the 26-year-old’s first outing since being outpointed by Taylor Greig in last month’s Top Boxer tournament: a one night welterweight tournament that saw eight boxers take part in three round bouts.

Losing in such “last man standing” events over the amateur distance is not a disaster. Fine fighter such as Sam Eggington and Kaisee Benjamin were beaten in similar competitions and went on to bigger things.

Sadly, we live in an age where defeat is deemed a disaster by some. Nonsense! A novice – and Purewal has had only five bouts – can learn a lot more from a points loss than a victory.

“Mad Man” Mooney, from Worcester, appears the perfect opponent for a boxer looking to rebuild and regain confidence.

He’s three bouts short of a century of contests, but is on a long losing streak. I fully expect Mooney to be there at the final bell.

Purewal is disarmingly honest about his sole setback. The occasion got to him, he stressed.

“I was too hesitant,” he said. “There are no excuses. My ring name is ‘Freeze’ and that’s what happened – I froze on the spot.

“That was me at 30 per cent. The occasion – and it was quite a big occasion – got to me. The crowd did not see the best of me.”

Purewal is itching to reveal what’s he’s really capable of.

“I want to show fans the hard work I do in the gym, I can do in the ring. I want to redress my wrongs, show I’m a prospect, show my skills.

“This is a great comeback fight for me. He’s going to make me work, he’s a good journeyman.”

Purewal’s story is an inspiring one.

He added: “I was a chubby kid who got absolutely bullied because of my size,” he admitted. “Back then, I never thought I’d be a professional boxer, I thought I’d end up working in an office.

“From where I was to where I am now is unbelievable, really.

“My style is very elusive, very evasive. The power is there, 100 per cent it’s there. If I’m picking someone off and the opening for the right shot does come, I’ll throw it.

“I’m doing this for my family, the people behind me. I want the Purewal name on the map, I want my grandparents to say I’ve done something big for them.”

It’s much too early to predict what Jag can achieve in his career, but the Birmingham game has certainly gained a larger-than-life character.