Geraghty wants to leave Irish fight fans with Dunne-believable memories
So special was the 'Bernard Dunne era,' it is the constant bar everything fight wise in Dublin has been compared to since.
Dunne was the hottest ticket in town at the tail end of the last decade and he brought more entertainment, drama, excitement, and indeed atmosphere, to The Point than any music star that performed in the time before the venue's name changes.
Every fight fan has unique and special memories from a time when boxing was packing out the arena and taking centre stage on RTÉ. Indeed, Dublin prospect Declan Geraghty looks back at that time fondly and with an excited glint in his eye.
The difference being that when the then young amateur was frequenting Dunne fight nights with his father he wasn't just sitting back an reveling in the moment, he was looking to a bright future and thinking 'that will be me one day'.
The Dubliner whose stylish approach to the noble art has caught the eye since he debuted back in 2014, fights on TV and in the National Stadium for the third time on February 6 and, like some followers of Irish boxing, senses something big is growing for him and his MGM stable mates. Indeed the former Senior Champ and EU Bronze medalist would love nothing more than to provide the next generation of fight fans with the same sort of memories that the former WBA super bantamweight World champion Bernard Dunne gave him.
"There's no better place to be fighting than your home town. I love fighting back at home," Geraghty told Irish-boxing.com
"I get great support every time I'm boxing especially at home. I've a good fan base and it keeps growing with every fight. All l can do is thank everyone for coming to the shows and try to give them all a great fight. It's about making memories for the people who come and watch as well as creating memories for myself. I remember all the times my father and I went to see Dunne and no matter what those memories will die with me, so I would love if l could do the same for the boxing fans."
2014 ended in somewhat disappointing fashion for 'Pretty Boy' he lost his unbeaten record after he was disqualified in the Irish Fight of the Year with Jono Carroll. The defeat cost him a place on a Prizefighter card and that aligned with injuries slowed his progression slightly, but he has re gained momentum in 2015 and is ready for a big 12 months ahead.
"Looking back on 2015 I have to say it was a good year for me," he added.
"I had four straight wins, was on two big TV shows and I am happy with all my performances. l did break my hand twice last year and also had a big operation after the Jono fight. Those three things meant it took time to get back to my old self but towards the end of the year everything was starting to come together. It was a 2015 but that was only a stepping stone to were l want to be."
