Tallaght’s Dylan McDonagh set for pro boxing debut

By Aidan Crowley

TALLAGHT Bantam-weight, Dylan McDonagh, will kick-start his pro boxing career when he lines out at the forthcoming “It’s A-Bout Boxing Ireland” show at the National Stadium, on Saturday, April 1.

McDonagh, who has enjoyed an impressive amateur career to date under the tutelage of Frank Stacey, has won both Dublin and All-Ireland Novice honours over the last number of years.

The 31-year-old local competitor has been engaged in a rigorous training regime ahead of what promises to be a high-profile professional debut.

McDonagh, who is based at Westside Boxing Club in Brookfield, is training in the gym twice a day and on his days off work.

He has just returned from an intense sparring session with former IBF World Bantamweight champion, Paul Butler, at Gallagher’s Gym, in Bolton, as he looks to fine-tune his punching and defensive skills ahead of the forthcoming pro-bout
McDonagh experienced mixed fortunes last year.

“In November, he emerged victorious in a semi-pro show, in Sallynoggin, run by Jay Byrne, when he defeated Kieran Kenny over four rounds.

However, earlier in the year, he lost out to Carl McDonald in the Irish Intermediates at the National Stadium on a split decision.
McDonald, himself, has recently turned pro and has one bout at Super Bantamweight already in the bag, defeating Polish fighter, Kamil Jaworek, on points last October.

His opponent for the pro-show has not yet been chosen, yet McDonagh is confident that he is ready and capable of taking-on any challenege.

“I have trained very hard for this event,” he said.

“As an amateur, I was used to a gruelling training regime. But now that I have made the step up to the professional ranks, I have to put in an awful lot more work.

“Boxing as a pro will involve huge sacrifices, but I am confident that it will pay off in the end,” he insisted.

For those boxing supporters who cannot attend the pro-show, it is available for viewing on Sky Sports Channel 212.