Ger Healy hits back at Ken Egan following Last Man Standing criticism

Gerard Healy has hit back at what he perceived were suggestions from Ken Egan he entered Ireland’s Last Man Standing with no intention of winning.

The popular Belfast fighter exited the TG4 broadcast tournament at the first hurdle when Irish super middleweight champion JJ McDonagh stopped him in the opening bout of the competition.

Healy [7(0)-5(2)-1] was down with what was ruled a low blow before being sent heavily to the canvas by the Mullingar man in the first round.

‘Boom Boom’ took the defeat on the chin and was as ever courteous following the bout.

However, after watching the TV coverage back one of Irish boxing’s ‘Mr Nice Guys’ took to social media to vent some frustrations.

Healy took issue with the punditry of Olympic silver medalist Egan, and outlined: “watched my fight back, listening to TG4. Kenny Egan wasn’t nice with his words.”

“Yes it was maybe a mismatch in size but I was there to win. I would never have entered Last Man Standing if I was going in to get beat.”

“I trained hard for it. Boxing is a ruthless game, everybody knows one shot can change everything in a boxing ring.”

“I was confident of winning. Yes, I knew I was up against JJ McDonagh and fair play to him, he won well, but never would I give up most of my time to train for something.”

“I’m just letting the fans know I was in it to win it and fell short.”

Speaking later to Irish-Boxing.com about the TV coverage Healy detailed how “I didn’t like what he said about me, one minute he said I am a good fighter then comes out saying I was there to get beat.”

“It was like saying I didn’t care, he should know one punch can change a fight and that’s what happened. There was one thing he was right about JJ was like a heavyweight in the ring that night,” Healy said.

“JJ is good I thought I was boxing okay and felt I would have grown into it. I get better as rounds go on, but that punch changed everything.”

After passing his 34th birthday and with Saturday’s reverse, Healy admits he is unsure as to what is next. The Ray Ginley-trained fighter, who was a popular figure in the old Emerald stable, won’t make any rash decision but is considering his future.

“I am not sure what am going to do as boxing has been a big part of my life its hard to walk away take a bit time out and have a think.”

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