Six after Marriage – Newlywed Dylan McDonagh ready for step-up

While he ended up having an extra week to prepare, the honeymoon is well and truly over for newlywed Dylan McDonagh [2(1)-0].

The Jobstown bantamweight got married last month to long-time partner Sinead but the train-aholic didn’t let his nuptials get in the way of his pro boxing career.

Initially preparing for a four-rounder on the cancelled JB Promotions July 7th bill, McDonagh trained throughout his honeymoon in New York and Las Vegas – even spending time at the world famous Mendez Gym in Manhattan

It’s a good thing he did – as McDonagh now finds himself instead fighting this Saturday [July 14th] on the ‘Celtic Clash 6’ bill at the Good Counsel GAA Club in Drimnagh where he will make the short-notice move up to six rounds.

‘The Firecracker’ is ready for the step up – which comes in just his third fight – despite a busy few months.

Indeed, McDonagh feels he has the perfect set-up, with new bride Sinead providing the perfect partner.

“The honeymoon was good, very good, and I kept training,” he told Irish-Boxing.com

“She supports me, every step of the way. She loves the boxing more than me. She’s part of the team, she’s always there, even for sparring.”

The cancellation too was “a blessing in disguise” for McDonagh who explains how “it gave me an extra week to prepare, I’ll be even better on the night.”

With Saturday’s fight being over six rounds, a win would set 32-year-old McDonagh up for a shot at the BUI Celtic title.

The Westside fighter is a man in a hurry and described how “it’s a six rounder, I look forward to it because I want to be pushed on to big domestic fights”

“It suits me. It’s a six rounder and I get stronger as the rounds go on, I’m a slow starter and I just keep going. If I was offered an eight rounder I could do eight.”

There are plenty of potential opponents in Ireland for McDonagh. Also fighting in Drimnagh on July 14th – for the BUI Celtic title in the super bantamweight division above him – are Cork’s Colin O’Donovan and another Jobstown boxer in Carl McDonald. Then there is the likes of Ryston youngster Eoin McGrath and Skerries puncher Prince Brady.

On Saturday it will be journeyman opposition for, what McDonagh hopes, will be the final time.

Ready for the step up in rounds, and any subsequent domestic dust-ups, McDonagh outlined how “I’m more than capable of doing the six rounds.”

“I never go looking for a knockout but I have to much power for them [other fighters at the weight].”

“My power is huge for a bantamweight.”

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography