East Kilbride boxer David Jamieson says a ‘freak punch’ forced him to retire with a broken jaw as Mikael Lawal took the vacant British Cruiserweight title at London’s Alexandra Palace on Sunday.
The Westwood fighter was more than holding his own in the fight, but was caught with a vicious punch in the eighth round of the 12-round contest that forced to retire, undergoing surgery on Monday morning in London.
However, Jamieson says the bout proved to him that he can cut it at the highest level, and promises big things are ahead of him in 2023.
He said: “I think we were ahead on the scorecard, the judges had us ahead, the people on Sky Sports had us ahead, and it was just a freak shot at the end of the eighth round.
“Mikael is a very big puncher, that’s his game, but I was taking the punches.
“It hasn’t actually broken my jaw, in terms of the normal way. It has caved my jaw in on one side.
“This makes me hungrier to get a title. I could pretty much taste it, I could taste the British title there.
“It’s big crowds, live on Sky Sports, and I’ve realised that I’m built for this stuff. It’s nice to know that I can cut it at that level. I’ve always believed that I can, but there’s a difference between believing you’re at that level and doing it.
“This is big-time boxing. I spoke to the guys from Sky Sports and I think I proved that I belong in the top ten, and it’s world level boxing, hopefully. They’ve assured us that they will have me back on a show when I’m healed up, in the new year, and we’ll go again.”
Jamieson added: “I’m in really good spirits. I’m obviously a bit sore and things, but my spirits are high and I’m looking forward to pressing on, in the new year.
“This has flicked a switch in my head, and I’m all for it.
“I just need to get healed up, I’ll get Christmas with my wife and my dogs and relax for a few months, then get right back in the saddle.”
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