Kean has ‘more in the tank’ for return bout

BOXING: Confident Dundee fighter vows to reverse defeat with quick rematch

Dundee boxer Paul Kean is looking to “right the wrongs” after it was confirmed he will have a rematch with Stefan Sanderson at the start of next year.

The City of Discovery fighter suffered the first loss of his professional career against Sanderson on Friday night at the Crowne Plaza in Glasgow.

The duo fought for the Scottish Superwelterweight Title, with Sanderson winning a tight points decision to take the belt.

A knockdown in the second round proved to be decisive in the close contest.

However, Kean is now determined there will be a different outcome when the pair meet again.

The former world kickboxing champion said: “I don’t mean to make excuses but I hadn’t been myself for a couple of weeks before the fight.

“I had been under the weather and I probably knew I wasn’t right before I walked into the ring.

“However, I was never going to pull out of the fight and I gave everything I had. A lot of people ringside had it split including some of the boxing writers who thought I had won just on the cleaner work.

“However, he got a knockdown in the second round and I think that swung the fight. If he hadn’t got that, I reckon I would have won.

“I knew it was close but, like I said, I hadn’t been myself and I knew that after just a couple of rounds.

“I just wasn’t boxing the way I normally do. My dad and the rest of my corner could see that as well.

“I am happy with myself for getting through the 10 rounds but I know I can do 100% better than that.

“I think he gave me his best on Friday while I have more in the tank.”

Kean insists there are lessons he will take on board from the Sanderson fight and the preparations leading up to it.

He added: “There were things in the training camp that didn’t go right either.

“I had a crash with my car about four weeks before the fight and I think my head wasn’t in the right place.

“I just need to refocus and, looking back after I had that good win in May (against Jay Byrne), I maybe should have had time off instead of going straight back into it.

“There are definitely lessons I can take on board from the Sanderson fight.

“I have got the rematch sorted for the start of next year and I am really happy with that. I started back training today and I am determined to right the wrongs when we meet again.

“Before that I have another fight on the 30th of November so I will hopefully get in there, get the win and then be back into the title fight.”

Picture: Dougie Nicolson.