Magee says career is over

Magee's career was thought to be over after a vicious gang attack last March left him with horrendous leg injuries.

"I haven't had any confirmation that they have taken the WBU title off me yet," said Magee who has confounded doctors by starting sparring again.

"As far as I'm concerned I'm still the champion. I plan to have three fights before I defend it," he told BBC Sport.

The 32-year-old Magee sustained a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula after being dragged from a car.

He said at the time that his career was definitely over after his injuries were diagnosed by two specialists.

But following a miraculous recovery, Magee is just glad to be back in action again.

'Defied them all'

"I'm really glad to be back in the gym and doing my own thing,'' said Magee. ''It's the one thing I know best.

''As far as the doctors are concerned I shouldn't even have the cage off my leg after six months. I have defied them all.

''I've to go back to see the surgeons on Thursday, and I'm sure they will be even more surprised that I'm back in the gym training.

''I've even starting sparring again. The only thing I can't do at present is skipping and running. Once I get over those hurdles, I'll be back fighting again.

''I'll know more when the doctors see the X-rays. If everything is healing properly, I will starting doing more running,'' said Magee before explaining why he wants to get into the ring again.

I took a month's break in London to get my head clear and think about the future Eamonn Magee

''The bottom line is I've no other way of earning money and it's the only way I can earn a living,'' he said.

''I've three kids and I have a mortgage like anybody else. It's my family that's driving me on.''

It was a spell in England that made Magee's mind up to return to the fight game.

''With the backing of my wife, I took a month's break in London to get my head clear and to have a good long hard think about the future.

''After that I knew exactly what I knew had to do. I came back on a Monday and was back in the gym on Tuesday and haven't stopped training since.''

Before the gang attack, Magee was due to fight Sharmba Mitchell at the MEN Arena.

Victory would have probably seen him get a match-up with Ricky Hatton. Now he is ready to start over again.