DAVID Ryan is the BUI Celtic super lightweight champion after a night of huge drama in Dublin.
His title fight with Tony McGlynn was a real epic, but even its drama was overshadowed by the events that followed the final bell. While referee Emile Tiedt appeared to be raising Ryan’s hand, Tony McGlynn was announced as the winner on a scoreline of 78-73, to the consternation of the Ryan supporters in the crowd.
However that announcement was a mistake, due to a very unfortunate breakdown in communication, and it was later confirmed that Ryan is the new champion.
Clare fight fans will naturally be delighted that Ryan was the winner, and he did deserve the victory, but one would have to have huge sympathy for McGlynn who was thrown from elation into despair.
From the first bell this was a completely absorbing fight, and the two fighters setting an electric pace from the outset.
McGlynn started well and probably took the first. And things got even better for him when he dropped Ryan early in the second, but after getting back up the Shannon fighter began to turn the tide.
Even before that round had ended Ryan had landed some decent right hands, and he was the superior force for most of the six remaining rounds.
Ryan showed real tenacity, coming back from that early knock down, later on having to deal with a badly cut eye, but continuously coming forward, never giving McGlynn a moment’s peace.
McGlynn did have moments of success while fighting on the back foot, and he contributed enormously to a great fight, but Ryan was setting the terms of engagement and his relentlessness won the day. Again and again he pushed forward, forcing his man to the ropes.
When it was over it was possible to make an argument that McGlynn had done enough to just maybe force a draw, but having him a winner by five points would have been impossible to justify.
Thankfully the error was rectified and Ryan now has the first belt of his professional boxing career.
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.