National title is ‘everything’ for McDonagh and McDonald
BOTH Carl McDonald and Dylan McDonagh have stressed the importance to their professional boxing careers of winning the BUI Ireland National Super Bantamweight title.
The two Tallaght men clash for the vacant belt in a much-anticipated 10-rounder in Good Counsel GAA Club on Saturday, November 24.
McDonagh, who has won three of his four pro bouts so far, told The Echo: “Winning that title would mean everything to me. It’s something I’ve dreamt about.
“It’s nothing to do with money, it’s just all about getting that belt and moving up to the next level.
“Carl is a good boxer. We fought in 2015, but that was in the amateurs and professional boxing is completely different so I wouldn’t be reading too much into that.
“I think he has the same style and neither of us will be taking a step back in this fight. There’s going to be fireworks.
“It’s great for Tallaght and so many people are really looking forward to this fight,” he said.
McDonald, likewise, is training his sights solely on landing the prize that was last held by Paul Hyland, the brother of his trainer Eddie Hyland
“This is what I turned pro for,” he said. “This means everything to me and the fact that Paul Hyland was the last one to win it, makes it more special.
“To bring it back to the same club, to the same family, it’s just making me more determined to go and win it.
“It’s going to be a tough fight and it’ll to all come down to who wants it more,” he insisted.
McDonald is not placing too much stock in his previous win over McDonagh in the Intermediate Championships three years ago, but has been buoyed by his recent victory over Colin O’Donovan for the BUI Celtic Featherweight strap in the very same venue he’ll be fighting his Jobstown rival.
“That [the 2015 win] was only a short three rounder whereas this is over 10 rounds,” he said.
“I fought eight rounds in my last fight [against O’Donovan] and in the training camp for that I felt there was more in me, so I’ll just give it that extra 20 percent for this one.
“Winning that BUI Celtic belt has given me more confidence because I now know what it takes to go and win a title,” he pointed out.
I know what I’m capable of
As for McDonagh, he has been very encouraged by his own preparation so far, saying “This camp is going great. I’ve got a new coach, Jonathan Lewins and I’m in there with the likes of Stephen McAfee and Kevin Cronin so I’m surrounded by professionals and that’s just going to bring me on.
“I know what I’m capable of and this camp will help me achieve that.”
While he will be coming into this title bout on the back of a loss to double Commonwealth medallist Sean McGoldrick in Cardiff- a fight he took at very short notice – he will be encouraged with his performance.
“I’ll keep saying it; if I had had a full camp behind me, I would have beaten him [McGoldrick]. I really believe that, but the experience was great and it will help me with my preparation.
“I haven’t taken the foot off since Cardiff because I knew this fight was coming up and everything is running to plan,” he added.
TAGS Sport
