“I’m Irish, I couldn’t go out like a b*tch” – Carroll reflects on real Rocky performance

Jono Carroll was cut, hurt, exhausted, and ultimately defeated but the Irishman loved every second of his first world title challenge.

The Dublin super featherweight put it up to IBF champion Tevin Farmer throughout their clash at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia last night but came out the wrong end of a unanimous decision.

‘King Kong’ failed to take the IBF super featherweight world title from champion Tevin Farmer, but left the ring with a great deal of respect, an increased profile and an increase chance of securing big Stateside fights after the guttiest of performances.

READ: Eddie Hearn and Lou DiBella hail Jono Carroll

Indeed, Eddie Hearn predicted he could become a ‘star’ Stateside, while Lou Dibella hailed the non-stop performance as a ‘blueprint’ for every challenger to study before a world title fight.

However, it wasn’t only those in attendance or those watching on DAZN and Sky Sports that enjoyed the fight, Carroll himself loved his world title experience.

“I enjoyed it in there tonight. Even though there were rocky moments I enjoyed it. The thing in life is you have to enjoy these moments because they don’t come very often. I enjoyed fighting for a world title. I enjoyed the whole week of being here in Philadelphia,” explained the Irish fighter.

“I’m an entertainer and this boxing game is about entertaining. People love the fight but realistically they want to be entertained. They don’t want to just see a boxing match – they want that energy and I do that inside and outside the round.”

Carroll also revealed a second round cut forced him to alter the game and effectively took away any chance of a world title upset in Philadelphia on Friday.

Carroll welcomed the praise and the fan respect post the win, but when things started to quieten down backstage and just before he headed to the hospital, the 26-year-old southpaw he pointed out a ‘deep’ cut hindered his chances of victory.

“I got the cut early and we rushed it a bit and because we rushed it the game plan changed a little bit. My plan was to make him miss that back hand a few times and then bang in twos and threes or single shots.” Carroll told IFL TV.

“Because we got the cut in the second round we knew if it got stopped in the fourth round we had to win the next two, so we start rushing it and I start throwing many a punch. I went completely away from the game plan and that was the problem.”

“The game plan was correct. If I hadn’t of got that cut and went away from the game plan I believe I could have won that fight.When questioned on a sensationally ballsy display the bearded battler seemed to suggest that was just a given.”

“I am Irish and it’s Paddy’s Weekend. I couldn’t go out like a bitch. It’s go hard or go home.”