Big David McDonagh reaching for the stars

Standing at six foot four inches tall, David McDonagh towers over all other welterweights.

Indeed, the rany Mullingar fighter towers over many heavyweights as well.

It’s a big advantage, and McDonagh knows that his physical gifts can bring him a long way when mixed with his boxing talent.

On Friday night the Westmeath boxer was faced with the usual, a clash of styles with a fighter looking to get inside his long arms and do damage.

His Irish Under-18 final with Dubliner Christian Preston was a close one, but the Mullingar Elite big man emerged victorious to claim Irish title number four and following up on the Junior 2 crown he won in March.

Afterwards the 17-year-old told Irish-Boxing.com that “I used my reach, I have to use my advantages. If I have to fight, I’ll fight, but I’d rather use my reach.”

“I felt good in there, it was a good fight.”

It was a sensational tournament for McDonagh who, in the semi-finals, defeated 2016 European champion and upcoming World Youth Championships participant Edward Donovan.

Amazingly, the midlander remains eligible for Youth level next year again.

He outlined how “I beat a European gold medallist on the way and he [Preston] was on an international trip three or four weeks ago.”

“You have to be confident, you have to have belief.”

“I’ll take three weeks off and then I’ll be back in training.”

Photo Credit: National Stadium Boxing Videos