Lee Purdy (born 29 May 1987) is a British former professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2013. He held the British welterweight title in 2011, challenged once for the vacant Commonwealth welterweight title in 2010 and once for the EBU European welterweight title in 2013.

Lee Purdy
Born29 May 1987 (1987-05-29) (age 36)
NationalityBritish
Other namesLights Out
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights26
Wins20
Wins by KO13
Losses5
Draws1

Professional boxing career edit

British Champion edit

Purdy claimed the British title with a win over Craig Watson via 5th round stoppage to become Colchesters first British boxing champion at the MEN Arena in Manchester on 16 April 2011.[1] This victory was followed up in his first defence on 16 July 2011 with another victory over Watson, this time in Oldham and with another stoppage in the 5th round. Despite starting brightly, Watson began to be worn down in the third round as two heavy shots from Purdy landed. Eventually after Watson was knocked down twice in the 5th, the referee called a halt to the contest.[2] Purdy lost the title in his second defence against former British light welterweight champion Colin Lynes. Purdy lost a majority points decision to Lynes after getting up off the canvas in the 10th to produce a strong finish.[3]

On 18 May 2013, Lee Purdy fought Devon Alexander at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, NJ. The bout was originally scheduled for the IBF welterweight title but Purdy failed to make the weight. Purdy took the fight at 4 weeks notice after Kell Brook pulled out with a hand injury. The fight was controversially stopped by Purdys trainer (Darren Barker) in the 7th round, although Purdy was not hurt at any stage throughout the fight and was looking to come on strong in the later rounds.

Alleged money laundering offence edit

In August 2013 Purdy was charged with money laundering along with five other people in what was believed to be a £1 million scam against elderly people. He was due to appear at Colchester Magistrates Court in September 2013. Purdy, as well as the other accused, denied the charges. Lee Purdy was found not guilty by unanimous verdict (jury) of money laundering. He thanked everyone who had supported him via Twitter.[citation needed]

After several operations on a detached retina suffered during the Leonard Bundu fight in December 2013, Purdy is expected to return to the ring in 2015 and would possibly meet the winner of the Frankie Gavin and Bradley Skeete bout for the British title.[citation needed]

Retirement edit

After sustaining a severed and detached retina in a fight with European welterweight champion Leonard Bundu in late 2013, Purdy was forced to retire from the sport of boxing.[4] His promoter Eddie Hearn confirmed the retirement in an interview with iFLTV on 16 February 2015.

Professional boxing record edit

26 fights 20 wins 5 losses
By knockout 13 2
By decision 7 3
Draws 1
No Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
26 Loss 20–5–1   Leonard Bundu TKO 12 (12), 2:53 14 Dec 2013   ExCel Arena, London Docklands, England For EBU European welterweight title
25 Loss 20–4–1   Devon Alexander RTD 7 (12), 3:00 18 May 2013   Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 20–3–1   Cosme Rivera TKO 9 (12), 0:56 9 Mar 2013   Wembley Arena, Wembley, London, England Retained IBF International welterweight title
23 Win 19–3–1   Gumersindo Lucas Carrasco TKO 4 (12), 1:43 8 Sep 2012   Alexandra Palace, Muswell Hill, London, England Won vacant IBF International welterweight title
22 Win 18–3–1   Chris Johnson TKO 1 (10), 2:18 7 Jul 2012   Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
21 Win 17–3–1   Adnan Amar TKO 5 (10), 3:00 17 Mar 2012   Sheffield Arena, Sheffield, England
20 Loss 16–3–1   Colin Lynes MD 12 9 Nov 2011   York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
19 Win 15–3–1   Craig Watson TKO 5 (12), 2:00 16 Jul 2011   Oldham Sports Centre, Manchester, England Retained British welterweight title
18 Win 14–3–1   Craig Watson TKO 5 (12), 0:40 16 Apr 2011   M.E.N. Arena, Manchester, England Won British welterweight title
17 Win 14–2–1   Theophilus Tetteh PTS 8 10 Sep 2010   York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
16 Loss 13–2–1   Denton Vassell UD 12 16 Apr 2010   Robin Park Centre, Wigan, England For vacant Commonwealth welterweight title
15 Win 13–1–1   Mark Douglas TKO 4 (10), 0:40 28 Nov 2009   Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex, England Retained British Southern Area welterweight title
14 Win 12–1–1   Peter McDonagh PTS 10 5 Sep 2009   Colosseum, Watford, England Won vacant British Southern Area welterweight title
13 Win 11–1–1   Kevin McCauley TKO 2 (4), 1:29 18 Jul 2009   York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
12 Win 10–1–1   Leonard Lothian PTS 4 28 Feb 2009   Norwich Showground, Norwich, England
11 Loss 9–1–1   Peter McDonagh PTS 10 13 Dec 2008   Brentwood Centre, Brentwood, Essex, England For British Southern Area super lightweight title
10 Win 9–0–1   Adam Kelly TKO 5 (6), 2:42 8 Nov 2008   York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
9 Win 8–0–1   Johnny Greaves TKO 3 (6), 2:32 4 Oct 2008   Norwich Showground, Norwich, England
8 Draw 7–0–1   Geoffrey Munika PTS 6 27 Jun 2008   York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
7 Win 7–0   Jamie Spence TKO 1 (6), 2:11 4 Apr 2008   York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, England
6 Win 6–0   Craig Dyer TKO 1 (4), 1:47 25 Jan 2008   Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, England
5 Win 5–0   Johnny Greaves PTS 6 25 Nov 2007   Hippodrome Nightclub, Colchester, Essex, England
4 Win 4–0   Ben Hudson PTS 6 1 Jul 2007   Hippodrome Nightclub, Colchester, Essex, England
3 Win 3–0   Duncan Cottier PTS 4 16 Jun 2007   Prince Regent Hotel, Chigwell, Essex, England
2 Win 2–0   Kristian Laight PTS 4 16 Mar 2007   Norwich Showground, Norwich, England
1 Win 1–0   Deniss Sirjatovs TKO 3 (4), 2:10 8 Dec 2006   Goresbrook Leisure Centre, Dagenham, England

References edit

  1. ^ Boxrec | Lee Purdy professional record
  2. ^ East Anglian Daily Times | Colchester boxer Lee Purdy wins British title
  3. ^ "Purdy loses his British title". 10 November 2011.
  4. ^ "Eye injury threatens Purdy career". BBC Sport.