Gabriel Dossen confident of Senior takeover following another dominant Box Cup win

Gabriel Dossen is developing a real ‘one to watch’ reputation and, if the Galway middleweight has his way, Irish fans will be watching him win on the biggest stages both amateur and pro over the next decade or so.

The European and World Youth bronze medallist is now starting to register an impact on at senior level and not long after winning the best boxer award at the Haringey Cup, Dossen had gold draped around his neck in a senior multi-nations competition in Holland last weekend.

In fact after taking the notable scalp of 2008 Olympian Herry Biembe, avenging a defeat to Ramtin Musah, and beating home favourite Max van der Pas en-route to Eindhoven Cup victory, Dossen picked up another Boxer of the Tournament gong.

A mention, along with Newry brothers Kane and Jake Tucker, by Barry McGuigan on The Late Late Show was further proof that people are starting to take note of a fighter Michael Conlan has long-tipped for Tokyo 2020 gold.

It all points to a potential bright future for one of a number of young emerging talents and the fighter himself is determined to bask in the brightest of boxing lights.

“Every tournament I go into and train for I go for gold. I put in so much time and effort to my training that I only expected gold from myself,” Dossen told Irish-Boxing.com.

“I’ve given up everything for boxing. Making it big in boxing is what I want. I want to be Olympic champion and World champion. My goal is a big nine-figure pay day and that’s what drives me everyday,” added the determined 18-year-old.

It’s been a successful start to senior boxing for the man from the West and he believes he is adapting to fighting adults and is gaining confidence from his tournament wins.

“My body is starting to develop and feeling stronger at my new weight compared to earlier on in the year. I think I’ve already adapted to the senior style and you can see by what I’ve done in two box cups. I have two golds and twice I received best boxer of the tournament.”

“I just need to work on a few things before the Seniors.”

The National Elite Senior Championships next February will be a big test for Dossen.

Middleweight is one of Ireland’s best weights and to become National Elite Champion of Ireland would be another big statement for the teen who would have to overcome old Youth-level team-mates Brett McGinty and Michael Nevin.

Achieving what he has done at various stages through his underage career early next year would also open a route to the main International tournaments, namely the European Games in Minsk, and put Dossen in the driving seat to be the middleweight that the High Performance pushes toward Tokyo 2020.

The Olympic BC speedster is taking it one step at a time and outlined how “I don’t get too ahead of myself.”

“I am super confident that I can beat anyone. I see myself as a main candidate going into these Seniors but 75kg one of the toughest weights there are a lot of good lads in the weight.”

“It definitely wont be easy but everyone is beatable,” he added.

The ultimate goal at amateur is the Olympic and Tokyo 2020 but Dossen is not finished with 2018.

Looking ahead, he described how “the Olympics is my ultimate dream, we are on track. Mike [Mongan, club coach] has plans for me to do a camp abroad, it hasn’t been finalised yet. I’ll be peaking at the right time.”

“I’ve been invited to Jordanstown for a camp for the EUs. A few other nations will be there, and I’m entering the Intermediates which at will be my last competition for the year,” he continues, explaining the immediate plans.

“Then it’s the Elites in the new year. I am not 100% sure if I’m going do the under 22s, I would like to give the European [U22s] a shot again but, after winning the Elites, the year will be busy with qualification tournaments for Tokyo.”