Birmingham battler Terry Carruthers charged through Peter Vaughan and Navid Mansouri to reach the final of Prizefighter Light Middleweights III on Saturday night.
Carruthers pushed Larry Ekundayo in hard-fought final but was eventually stopped in a pulsating bout.
The 26-year-old caught up with Sports Mole to share his thoughts in the aftermath of a terrific showing at York Hall.
Terry, you fought your way past a strong field but just came up short in the final. How are you feeling after a rollercoaster night?
"I'm proud of myself and really happy. I couldn't have done any better on the night, I gave it everything I had. In the final I put my all in and went all out but I was tired and he was very strong. I had two gruelling fights before that but at the end of the day the best man won on the night."
Do you feel the stoppage in the final was a fair decision?
"At the time I thought not, but I just spoke to Ryan Rhodes and he said to me that they should have stopped it. At the time I was shaking my head but he caught me with a shot, but he wasn't going mad flying in with a flurry so I could've carried on. I'm still delighted in the end and with the money too, 16k, wow. I've never had that much money in one hit in my whole life so I'm very happy."
Was the motivation tonight all about proving you're better than your record suggests and not a journeyman?
"I hate that label, I'm not journeyman. If you look at my record I've fought the best in the country and people still call me a journeyman. I've had some good, tough fights and if I'm a journeyman as people say then I wouldn't be capable of reaching the final of Prizefighter. They put prospects in this to build them towards bigger and better things. Tonight I really fought my heart out."
Thoughts on the overall winner Larry Edunkayo?
"He's a nice guy and he's still young. He's only had two fights before tonight and he's a really strong guy. I'd definitely fight him again if I got the chance but fair play to him for coming in and winning."
Whats next for you in your career?
"I said before I'd love to work towards a shot at Brian Rose and the British title but he's got one more defence and he'll probably move onto better things from there. I'll take any fights that come ahead, I still feel fit and strong and have more to offer."
Was tonight the highlight of your career to date, winning two fights in front of a frenzied crowd here at York Hall?
"Oh without doubt, to look round and see people cheering, I think I won a lot of news fans. When it started there weren't that many people cheering for me but by the end the whole venue were on their feet. To be honest I am a bit gutted I got stopped but I'm still very happy. To look round and see people cheering, it gives you a warm feeling. And to do it all with my son and my girlfriend there. I feel like I'm in the limelight so keep your eyes open for me."
Liam Power
