Bookie Basher McDonagh – “Tell Paddy Power never to put me as an underdog again!”

Paddy McDonagh [11(0)-2(0)] was as happy to get one over on Paddy Power as he was with overcoming Steve Collins Jnr on Saturday night.

The Westmeath man reclaimed the Irish light heavyweight title with a points win over the Wolfhound to increase his boxing stock and the bank balance of his family and close circle as a result.

Betting company Paddy Powers gave odds as high as 4/1 for McDonagh to emerge victorious in the eagerly anticipated domestic clash and the fighter, who was sparring Chris Eubank Junior in the build up, claims the generous odds saw his family reimbursed for a lifetime of failed betting.

“I was delighted when I was told about the odds because Paddy Power took a lot of money of me and my family over the years and we all took it back off them tonight.”

“Tell Paddy Power never to put me as an underdog again. I am sure they won’t after they pay out on Monday,” he told Irish-Boxing.com.

McDonagh impressed after a two year lay off and relaunched his career with the win. While those in attendance were impressed with how McDonagh performed in the National Stadium, the younger brother of Irish super middleweight champ JJ claims he can only getting better, revealing the lay off started to take it’s toll down the stretch.

“In the latter rounds I have to admit I felt like I was two years out of the ring. It caught up on me a little.”

There is talk that he will now team up with ITV and be a regular on Chris Eubank Jr card and although the fighter wouldn’t confirm that on the night he did claim he is back for good.

“It feels great to be champion of Ireland again. This is just the start now, watch out for me. I am back out on July 15th in England and I am going to keep active from now on.”

“I had an injury then I put on a heap of weight, but I am fit now and I had great sparring leading up to this so I know where I am at and what I can do if I keep active,” he continued before stating he is open to a rematch with Collins [10(4)-1(0)-1].

“I want three or fights before Christmas now – and if Stevie wants a rematch, no problem.”

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