Light-middleweight Lee Cutler said it felt “surreal” to come away with a victory on Saturday night when he beat rival Stephen McKenna and handed him the first loss of his professional career.
‘Chaos Cutler’ knocked McKenna down twice en route to a majority-decision victory in a thrilling fight at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool.
“There’s still so much more to come from me and the team know that.” Cutler told BBC Sport.
“This was a fight that I had to get through to progress my career. I would have been off the big shows if I lost, so there was a lot of pressure.
“It was so surreal to have the whole team here. I felt it was a bit too easy in there at times, which is why I switched off and got hit with some silly shots.
“I’m over the moon though and I hope I’ve done everyone proud.”
Cutler previously won the English light-middleweight title in December of 2023 and Saturday’s showdown with McKenna was a real boxing treat.
The two went for it from the first bell and each of the 10 rounds was filled with action as big shots landed on both competitors.
Victory ensured that he claimed McKenna’s WBC International title as well as bragging rights after a fiery build-up between the two.
Cutler is part of Shane McGuigan’s gym in London under coach Josh Pritchard, who was incredibly animated in the corner on Saturday night, willing his man on to victory.
Also part of his gym set up are former and current world champions, including Chris Billam-Smith, Caroline Dubois and Ellie Scotney.