Connor Coyle overwhelmed by support for Irish debut
Connor Coyle made his Irish debut at the weekend in Dublin in front of a massive travelling support from Derry.
The light middleweight outpointed awkward Spaniard Santos Medrana over four rounds at the National Stadium, winning every second of the fight and taking a 40:36 points victory to move to 2(1)-0.
Coyle has relocated to America for his training, but was delighted to be able to make his Irish bow on the Red Corner ‘Inception’ show.
The Florida-based puncher was content with his night’s showing and told Irish-Boxing.com that “I did what I was told to do, and that was just work the jab and get the rounds in. If an opportunity came where I could KO him, then I would of stepped up, but he was very durable, and we just enjoyed the fight.”
Against an unorthodox and spoiling opponent, Coyle did not stress, instead sticking to his boxing and described how “he could of made Floyd Mayweather look bad, he was that kind of fighter. So I feel we did the right thing and got the rounds in with some sharp right hands down the pipe, and mainly enjoyed being in there.”
The Commonwealth bronze medalist’s American trainer Jim McLoughlin had made the trip across the Atlantic for the fight and the former coach of Winky Wright was happy with what he saw, with Coyle explaining that “Jim and the team was happy at the end of the fight, especially with the late opponent change and him being a southpaw. We were happy with my performance.”
It was a special night for Coyle, and he was roared on by over 150 fans who had made the long trip from Derry. He said that “I loved fighting at home, it was a great experience. The fans, what can I say? They made some noise and the atmosphere was electric. For me only having my second pro fight, it was overwhelming.”
“I felt the floor shaking on the way up the steps into the ring. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me the whole way, and to all my hometown fans of Derry City who bought a lot of tickets. I will see you all again shortly.”
First however is a trip back across the water to St Petersburg in Florida and Coyle outlined how “hopefully I’ll fight again before Christmas but, if not, definitely January.”
“Jim has plans set for me, and I look forward to them. He’s very well known and respected Stateside, and he has a lot of contacts.”
“But I would like to fight in Ireland again soon, and for a title next – but we can talk about that once I get a few more fights under my belt!”
Photo Credit: Lazslo Geczo Photography
