‘A whole lot more to come’ – Natural James McGivern plays down eye catching win

It was a performance that cemented James McGivern’s status as a prospect of real promise among Irish fight fans.

‘The Natural’ looked a natural against Jordan Ellison, a fighter with upset potential, who often gives more experienced early day fighters a rough ride.

The Belfast fighter out boxed the journey man, dominated for six rounds and ensured the English fighter consulted the canvas.

You can’t get much better, or can you?

According to the 21-year-old there is room for improvement and if manager Jamie Conlan’s C+ grading is anything to go by there are some levels to go up.

“If people think that was a statement I’m glad, but I’m only getting started in this game there is a whole lot more to come,” McGivern [2(0)-0] told Irish-boxing.com.

“It was a decent enough performance. I go a bit excited after the knockdown. I was hunting for the stoppage, so I lost a bit of my composure but that is all learning.”

Manager and former world title challenger Jamie Conlan sang off the same hymn sheet.

McGivern expalins: “Jamie gave me C+, so I must have done something right. He’s a hard task master but I think everyone was happy enough with my performance. Apparently Tony Bellew was signing my praises and Barry Jones had all positive things to say. I must have done something right.”

The fact the St Georges ABC graduate, a Commonwealth and European youth medalist, has gone straight into six rounders – and has taken on the likes of Ellison in just second fight – shows a real sign of faith from his team.

McGivern reveals there is more to it that that and is delighted he has been handed the chance to prove his potential.

“I think I’m being moved along a bit quicker than usual because of Covid but I’m all for that I want threw in at the deep end so I can show I’m the real deal,” he adds before revealing his second fight was a genuine learning experience.

“Of course I learnt. I’m learning all the time everyday is a school day in this game, but with the knockdown I learnt massively about finishing a fight and not getting to excited. Composure equals a KO!”

Speaking when asked what was next he concluded : “I’m back in the gym already waiting for whatever MTK have for next. I have total faith in them so whenever they give me the call I’ll be ready.”