Young Cavan talent Dominic Donegan [1 win, 0 losses] made a huge impression in his professional boxing debut last month and plans to do the same in fight number two.
‘Dom The Bomb’ was the stand-out performer on the big ‘Celtic Clash 8’ bill in Belfast, turning plenty of heads in the knowledgeable crowd and now heads to the historic York Hall in London on Saturday June 22nd where he will continue his development.
Light middleweight Donegan is one of four Irish fighters, including major star Eric Donovan, set to feature on a Hellraiser Boxing card at the spiritual home of British boxing and, if his debut is anything to go by, fans are in for a treat.
The bill is dubbed ‘The Irish Invasion’ and Donegan aims to be front and centre in Bethnal Green. The 24-year-old outlined how “this is a massive stage to be fighting on in London and hopefully I make it 2-0.
I have never been before but I am very excited about going and getting on that stage. I really don’t mind what opponent is put in front of me. All I can do is box who they put in front of me. I think it’s great to get a fight so close after my debut. It’s like killing the one training camp with the two fights. I get to build up that experience. I have to give a real big thanks to my manger Stephen Sharpe for pulling this one out of the bag and it’s great to be a part of Boxing Ireland Promotions.”
Donegan was mightily impressive in his paid bow last month, dropping and dominating ultra-experienced English fighter Liam Griffiths over four rounds at the Devenish Complex in front of a large and loud crowd from Cavan. Few hurt Griffiths, one of the wiliest operators on the circuit, but the Drumgoon man had the veteran down in the third round heavily and on the verge of being knocked out in the fourth.
It was a performance that had people in Irish boxing circles talking and Donegan is happy to be making a name for himself. The Irish Army soldier described ho “I know I have a bang and I landed in the third round and I did hurt him but I went back to my boxing, went through the four rounds and it was great to get them. Liam Griffiths has been around with the best of lads. He doesn’t get knocked down but I caught him sweet and I was picking him.”
“He [Griffiths] was chatting away to me after the fight. He couldn’t believe that was my first fight. He said that I am a very hard hitter and will go a long way in the pro game. I always had confidence in my power. Dropping Liam, I think anyone that was watching was surprised because he does not go down easy and he has been in with great lads.”
While he looks to have that special one-punch power than most fighters crave, the softly-spoken Donegan isn’t one for making knockout predictions. Indeed, the former Irish Army champion is always keen to show that he can box as well as fight – however, putting on a show is always his main concern. Donegan explains that “I am not going out for the KO, if it comes, it comes. I want to go in there and show people and my fans how good of a boxer I am and how I don’t waste any shots. I will go out and box and if I see a opening I will take it. I aim to be in control of the fight from start to finish. I’m an entertainer at the end of the day, I want to put on a show for my fans.”
There are a limited amount of tickets available for ‘The Irish Invasion’ on June 22nd. Tickets cost £40 (unreserved) and £70 (ringside). Dominic Donegan can be contacted through his social media channels, calling 083 0586 177 or on Universe.com.
