
RATHFRILAND ABC boxer and Castlewellan native Donagh Keary has ditched the amateur game and turned over to the paid ranks.
Keary will have his first professional fight on a 360 Promotions All Irish card on 16 March in the world-famous MSG Arena, New York.
Keary who has been boxing from the age of six, said: “It’s a dream come true for any boxer no matter what stage of their career but for one who has just turned pro and get to debut in MSG, is mind blowing.
“But I’m ready for the challenge and whatever opponent is put in front of me.”
Donagh’s amateur coach and now his co-manager, Bobby Lavery, stated: “I always knew Donagh would be a professional someday since he first walked into the Rathfriland gym, but never did I think I would be going with him on the journey.
“I had to make an extremely hard decision to leave Rathfriland ABC and put my time into guiding Donagh in his professional career.
“I have a lot of contacts in the pro game, as I used to part own Irish-boxing.com. I made a few calls and everyone was positive and have offered to help in any way they can.”
Since deciding to turn over last November after losing the Irish Elite final in an extremely close contest, Keary’s pro training started straight away.
“I reached out to two-time world champion Ryan Burnett through Instagram, who had just announced that he would be training pro boxers, to see if he would be interested in taking Donagh on to coach him”, Lavery said.
In the full article, Bobby explains how Donagh will prepare for his bout.