Eamonn Magee back in the gym

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 28 Jun 2004, 10:48

EAMONN Magee is launching one of the biggest comebacks in the history of sport.
After his leg was smashed earlier this year in a row with a neighbour and he lay in hospital suffering multiple blood clots, Magee naturally declared that his ring career was over.
But his recovery has been simply amazing and the WBU welterweight champion returned to John Breen's gym this week to begin his road back to fitness and the ring.
Terminator Magee has already defied doctors and consultants with how he has recovered and the plaster surrounding his leg has now gone, though the Belfast man admits that he continues to take medication.
Magee revealed: "They said that the cage around the leg would have to stay on for six months and it came off after three, and they said the plaster would have to be on for six months and it is off in four months.
"It looks awful and I am having to take medication and obviously painkillers but I am determined to get back in the ring and I want to defend my title.
"It has been down to my mental attitude. I'm not going to let anybody keep me down. I'm going to show that I can come back."
Magee also insists that he has not had any official comment from the WBU over his status as champion, though it was naturally felt that the title would become vacant.
"I have had no written confirmation, nobody has informed me so as far as I am concerned I am still WBU champion until I hear otherwise," added Magee, who has already set himself a deadline for his return to combat.
"What else am I going to do with my life? I never thought I would say this but I miss training! I just miss the competition, the buzz. I don't want to just be wasting my time.
"Now I have got it in my mind that I want to be back fighting before the end of the year. What a comeback fight that will be.
"If allegedly doesn't want to promote the fight then I would even think about promoting it myself because I know that it's going to be something special."
When he recalls how he suffered in hospital, Magee freely admits that he has surprised himself with his recovery.
"I had blood clots and I still have medication to keep my blood thin. I couldn't sleep with the pain; my hands and feet broke out in water blisters.
"Maybe some thought I would just roll over and die but I am hungry again and I want to have some more big fights. I miss that and, who knows, maybe I can still get that rematch with Ricky Hatton."
Magee will naturally have to be careful as he eases himself back into training but the comeback is on and if desire alone could win fights then Magee would be guaranteed more success.

From the Belfast Telegraph.

REAL_DEAL · Post by **REAL_DEAL** » 28 Jun 2004, 10:50

my mate at the event said he saw magee still limping around the magee - reid event

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 28 Jun 2004, 10:52

REAL_DEAL wrote:my mate at the event said he saw magee still limping around the magee - reid event

Yeah, he has a defined limp apparently, but I'm sure that will improve. Christ, he's done wonders to get this far.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 28 Jun 2004, 10:53

I fear that perhaps Magee is deluding himself. Whilst his recovery sounds very speedy, and the power of positive thought is amazing, his leg will never be the same, and for a boxer that is a disaster, his balance and punchpower are unlikely to ever return to normal, and his movement (never exactly his best asset) will be terrible.

adamiw · Post by **adamiw** » 28 Jun 2004, 10:55

Magee is a true warrior, however i echo James' thoughts, i can't imagine himbeing the same again..it would almost be a miracle! If he gets himself into good condition he may be able to box at a lower level. But credit to him for coming back like this, takes a lot of character and self belief.

buzz · Post by **buzz** » 28 Jun 2004, 11:00

All due respect to Magee, but again I'm another who thiks it will prove to much for him to return.

Harry Simon is in training at the moment after a bad car smash but again I feel he will never be the same again.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 28 Jun 2004, 11:20

Massive injuries of the kind suffered by MAgee and Simon never really heal properly again, the bones don't knit perfectly, and there is always some side effect. It's when bones get crushed, as in both their cases, that the damage is really done.

I remember when Vinny Paz broke his neck, or was it back, and he came back, but that was a clean injury, it was a matter of it being immobilised long enough to heal.

The reason Magee is so keen to come back, is that he needs to have something to work on to help his recovery, when it gets nearer the time, perhaps he will realise that it just isn't there.

Having said all that, I hope I am wrong.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 28 Jun 2004, 12:09

Good luck to the bloke I say.

I'm not a Magee fan but at least he's having a good go at putting his life back together and not just lying there feeling sorry for himself.

bennie · Post by **bennie** » 28 Jun 2004, 12:53

There have been many fighters who have overcome serious handicaps to return to the ring.
Filipino southpaw Dodie Penalosa overcame a withered leg from childhood polio to become an IBF champion at light-fly and flyweight. He also fought Dave "Check the Water Mark" McAuley over here in 1989.
Willie Pep was told he would never walk again, let alone fight, after sustaining a broken back in a plane crash. He came back to have his bitter four-fight series with Sandy Saddler.
Canadian Donnie Poole suffered terrible knee injuries in a motorbike smash but came back to fight.
There was also that amputee, Craig someone or other, who broke into world class.
I think Eamonn can do it.

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 28 Jun 2004, 12:56

bennie wrote:Dave "Check the Water Mark" McAuley

Slapsie Maxie · Post by **Slapsie Maxie** » 28 Jun 2004, 12:59

I agree. I certainly don't think Magee should or would come back again after these injuries

What I do think though, is that the thought that he could is going to spur him on to a better level of recovery than others with similar injuries.

Good luck to him whatever.

Slapsie

KOJOE90 · Post by **KOJOE90** » 28 Jun 2004, 13:00

bennie wrote:was also that amputee, Craig someone or other, who broke into world class. .

http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=002071

The Devil In Roy Jones · Post by **The Devil In Roy Jones** » 28 Jun 2004, 13:01

Magee should look to Henrik Larsson for encouragement, he came back better after having his leg snapped in two.

stujones · Post by **stujones** » 28 Jun 2004, 13:39

Yeah, there have been some amazing sporting stories (Jason Leonard aswell). He can adapt his style and still be as effective. He was always a counter boxer and not a "chaser" so a leg injury wouldn't effect him as much as say a Hatton - especially the way Magee used to counter box.

Go on Eamomn, I still believe.

theguru · Post by **theguru** » 28 Jun 2004, 19:11

ONE thing i have learned from boxing.........never say never

black panther · Post by **black panther** » 29 Jun 2004, 04:30

good luck to him but i have to agree that he wont be the same. Didnt he have a punctured lung as well?

DavidPayne · Post by **DavidPayne** » 29 Jun 2004, 06:48

I wonder how different 2004 would have panned out for Hatton had Magee made his date with Sharmba Mitchell and either beaten him (slim) or pushed him much harder than Mike Stewart could (likely)

Would Mitchell have appeared a more viable opponent, i.e. less risky then and would he also have been less demanding on his remuneration requests had his bout with Magee been closer than Stewart?

Imagine a year that saw Magee v Mitchell and Mitchell/Magee v Hatton. Man what a year it COULD have been. The blow to the equilibirum caused by Magee's sad withdrawal shouldn't be underestimated in the scheme of things.

jamesmcdonnell · Post by **jamesmcdonnell** » 29 Jun 2004, 06:52

Chances are, and no disrepsect to Magee that he wouldn't have fared too well against a slick cutie like Mitchell, and the fight still wouldn't have happened.

Nice to see you on here Dave.