Jay Byrne to move into pro management – announces first fighter

Jay Byrne [4(1)-1(0)] has certainly shook up the Irish boxing scene since his entry into the pro ranks last Summer.

The Loughlinstown welter is now a self-managed fighter and, in addition to a busy football career, Byrne set up Semi-Pro Boxing Ireland, so far running two shows.

Three fighters from these shows – Dylan McDonagh, James Cahill, and Stephen McAfee – have since moved into the pros.

Now Byrne, as has always been his intention albeit perhaps not this soon, is to become a promoter and manager in the pros where he will call upon the talent pool he has built up at semi-pro level

Today Byrne announced his first fighter, Dublin welter Karl Kelly.

An accomplished amateur with Byrne’s club St Margarets, Kelly was a Dublin Intermediate champion and the 2015 Intermediate runner-up, losing to James Cleary in the final.

Since then he has become a regular on the semi-pro circuit, challenging for the inaugural Irish title over 8x2min rounds and winning a European belt over 10x2min rounds among other achievements.

Byrne described how “Karl will now train Full time and be looked after by myself and my team of coaches and nutritionists.”

“His debut will be released very soon.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)