New Coach backs ‘on it big’ Sheehan to be Last Man Standing

Roy Sheehan is ‘on it big’ and will add a big cash amount to his bank account by midnight on March 3 as a result claims the man he has elected to guide his pro career.

‘The Joker’ has turned over to compete in the eagerly anticipated Last Man Standing contest and his new coach Steven O’Rourke believes he will be the last of eight men standing after the TG4 broadcast fight night.

The St Michaels Inchicore boss has been working with the former St Michaels Athy amateur six days a week to prepare a fighter, who under orders from the BUI fights over four rounds at the York Hall on February 3, for the pro game.

However, such is the talent of the former European medalist that the trainer, who also looks after pros Victor Rabei and Stevie Collins as well as amateurs such as Tony Browne, claims its more of a fine tuning than over haul operation.

Indeed, despite the fact Sheehan takes to the ring on March 3 at the National Stadium with limited pro experience, O’Rourke is confident in his charge and believes he will be manning the corner for the eventual winner.

“The link with Roy came about because Roy knew me from the amateurs. He liked my style of boxing and work ethic,” O’Rourke told Irish-boxing.com before expressing how impressed he has been with the 33 year old.

“He is looking in great shape. His fitness levels have gone through the roof since he came to the gym. He is working six days a week and doing two sessions a day in a bid to adapt.

“There a few things we are working on specifically, sitting on his shots more and close to mid range work, but everything else is there,” continued O’Rourke before backing Sheehan to win the elimination tournament that includes the likes of Bernard Roe, Chris Blaney, Alfredo Melie and Chris McGlinchy.

“He can and he will win it. The kid has bags of talent. He is sparring in-house some of the best amateurs and pros in the country has we say in the trade he’s on it big.”