The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
SHANNON boxer David Ryan will have the second fight of his professional career in Belfast on February 4, when he takes on Marek Laskowski.
“They’re moving me up to a six rounder this time, which is great, and it’ll help get my name out there,” he said on Monday.
He will be fighting on the Jamie Morrissey-Kevin Cronin undercard, the two fighting for the vacant BUI Celtic Light Heavyweight title.
Morrissey is from Limerick and trains with David, while Cronin is a Kerryman, but the bout is still happening north of the border.
“It’s hard enough to get venues in the south. The insurance can be very expensive, but up in Belfast it’s a lot cheaper,” says David.
Laskowski has nine victories and 17 defeats on his record, and Ryan is expected to win comfortably in February, but this week he admitted knowing relatively little about his opponent.
Ryan made his debut in November, and while he won a points victory, he is hopeful of going one better next month. “I’d be fairly happy that I’ll be getting a stoppage in this fight.”
Last week he sparred ten rounds, and will spar again this week and next week, before tapering off, ahead of the Belfast fight.
“My last rest day was Saturday ahead of the fight. I’ll be busy every day for the next few weeks. There will be some light days in that too, the training is enjoyable,” he says.
A convert from kickboxing, he says he prefers his new sport. While the level of training is fairly similiar, he feels boxing needs greater concentration once the bell goes. “In boxing you have to stay a bit more focused, you have to be switched on all the time.”
He says there has been great support in Shannon, with generous sponsorship, while many people call to support him at his job at Morrissey’s butchers in the Town Centre. “People are always wishing me well, every day. It’s good that way, in Shannon people do support you.”
Ryan has also been nominated for an irish-boxing.com award for debut of the year, with the winner set to be announced on January 26.
Owen Ryan
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked for a number of other regional titles in Limerick, Galway and Cork.
