Cutler's testing year leading to victory over McKenna

Lee Cutler knocked rival Stephen McKenna down twice on the way to a majority-decision victory in Liverpool

Light-middleweight Lee Cutler said it felt "surreal" to come away with a victory on Saturday night when he beat rival Stephen McKenna and handed him the first loss of his professional career.

'Chaos Cutler' knocked McKenna down twice en route to a majority-decision victory in a thrilling fight at the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool.

"There's still so much more to come from me and the team know that." Cutler told BBC Sport.

"This was a fight that I had to get through to progress my career. I would have been off the big shows if I lost, so there was a lot of pressure.

"It was so surreal to have the whole team here. I felt it was a bit too easy in there at times, which is why I switched off and got hit with some silly shots.

"I'm over the moon though and I hope I've done everyone proud."

Cutler previously won the English light-middleweight title in December of 2023 and Saturday's showdown with McKenna was a real boxing treat.

The two went for it from the first bell and each of the 10 rounds was filled with action as big shots landed on both competitors.

Victory ensured that he claimed McKenna's WBC International title as well as bragging rights after a fiery build-up between the two.

Cutler is part of Shane McGuigan's gym in London under coach Josh Pritchard, who was incredibly animated in the corner on Saturday night, willing his man on to victory.

Also part of his gym set up are former and current world champions, including Chris Billam-Smith, Caroline Dubois and Ellie Scotney.

Cutler has been promised by promoter Ben Shalom that after victory he would have him headline a show in his hometown

After the decision of Cutler's victory was read out the 28-year-old dropped to the floor and did the "worm dance."

Aside from the elation that he had managed to get the job done he said that relief was one of the overriding emotions afterwards.

"There's been times this year where I've been so close to quitting boxing due to things on the outside." Cutler told BBC Sport.

"I broke down once while doing pads with Josh (Pritchard) but he stuck behind me the whole time and then when a few things cleared up outside the ring I started to get that drive back.

"After the win I think I do now feel worthy of being in the gym. At the start of the year I didn't feel that I deserved that spot, being in there with them all.

"I'm just thankful to be in this position right now and hopefully there is bigger and better things to come."

Speaking before the bout, Cutler said that in a recent trip to Saudi Arabia promoter Ben Shalom promised that if he were to come through the contest victorious then there would be a headline show for him in his hometown of Bournemouth.

Shalom has been to Bournemouth a number of times, with the success of former WBO cruiserweight champion Billam-Smith who headlined in both the Bournemouth International Centre and AFC Bournemouth's Vitality Stadium.

"I'm going to have to deliver on that promise," Shalom told BBC Sport.

"I love Bournemouth and it's a special place where they get behind their own. Lee deserves his time and we'll definitely do it."