Paddy Lacey is discovering redemption within the boxing ring after his profession as knowledgeable footballer fell aside in 2017 as a result of medication.
Lacey improved his excellent boxing document to 7-0 with a dominant choice win over Seamus Devlin on the M&S Financial institution Area in Liverpool on Saturday night time.
The 29-year-old was initially set to battle early within the night, however his battle ended up getting pushed again and he didn’t get into the ring till after Liam Smith stopped Hassan Mwakinyo in the primary occasion.
A big contingent of locals stayed behind to observe Lacey ease his manner to some extent victory over six rounds and proceed his exceptional transition to skilled boxing.
The previous footballer frolicked on the books of a number of English Soccer League golf equipment equivalent to Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford Metropolis, earlier than discovering his toes at Barrow and transferring on to Accrington Stanley.
Lacey’s soccer profession fell aside after he was given a 14-month ban by the Soccer Affiliation for taking cocaine.
He admitted breaching anti-doping guidelines after testing optimistic for Benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine, following Accrington’s sport towards Hartlepool on November 22, 2017.
A couple of months later, Lacey was present in possession of 20.3 grams of cocaine, 16.8 grams of MDMA, and £520 in counterfeit £20 notes at Glastonbury Competition – he was later sentenced to 16 months in jail at Bristol Crown Court docket.
After serving just five months, the scouser was released and could be forgiven for thinking his luck was about to change. However, he soon suffered a catastrophic knee injury that led to an operation and sepsis.
Lacey eventually managed to get back to full fitness and continues to play football at a semi-professional level for Warrington Rylands. He is also a carpet fitter as well as an undefeated pro boxer.
While beating a fighter whose record is now 1-38-1 won’t have him knocking on the door for a world title anytime soon, it’s clear to see Lacey has some talent.
Who knows, perhaps he will follow in the footsteps of former Premier League player Curtis Woodhouse who managed to bag himself a British title after leaving football to pursue boxing.
