Sligo starlet Aaron Gethins set for dream debut

Aaron Gethins could be handed the kind of pro debut usually set aside for Olympians.  

The Ballincarrow 19-year-old’s skillset and in-ring potential has the usually pragmatic and poker faced Tony Davitt beaming with excitement.  

However, it seems the teen welterweight has an out of ring attribute that could help him turn potential into a serious successful career.

The southpaw has already done 200 tickets for a debut that plays out on the Ray Moylette ‘Homecoming’ card set for Castlebar this Friday and his popularity looks to have paid early dividends.

So impressed with his ticket-selling ability, a delighted Assassin Promotions have handed Gethins a chance to debut on TV in front of a packed-out Royal Theatre after middleweight star Spike O’Sullivan, the chief support, and headliner Moylette.

It’s a great opportunity for Gethins – whose appearance will allow Paschal Collins a greater turnaround time – and the puncher knows he has to thank his support for that.

“There is a serious support from Sligo going to be there,” Gethins told Irish-Boxing.com.

“I have loads of support from home and those around the town seem to getting behind me. In fairness they have always followed me so I kind of expected the reaction.”

“Well, I thought maybe I could do around 150 tickets, but 200 and counting is amazing. If I had a show in Sligo there is no doubt it would be sold out.”

“The whole of Sligo would be there.”

“I have to thank the people who bought tickets for that. I have to be able to acknowledge them for what they have done.”

Such support often comes with a degree of pressure, but the new-to-the-game pro claims taking everything in his stride is something he has always been able to do.

“I honestly don’t get pressured too easy. I am kind of laid-back that way,” he explained before revealing he is anything but a rush ahead of his four rounder with Croatian Silvije Kebet [2(1)-17(7)].

“I am only 19 so I have time. In 2019 it will just be about keeping busy.”

“I want to learn and I have time to learn so the more fights the better for me next year. It doesn’t have to be anything major.”

“I’d like two years proper exposure to the pro ranks getting used to it if I am honest. There is a big difference between the amateurs and the pros.”

It’s a sensible approach and one the Tony Davitt-managed fighter will bring into his debut.

“To be honest I just want to get the win,” he adds when asked if he wants to put on a show.

“It’s boxing you never know what can happen so for this fight, it’s just about the win.”

“I am over the moon to be on this card. I just can’t wait now to get in there,” admitted ‘The Kid’.

“There has been a big build-up to it now, I am getting loads of support and have done loads of training I just can’t wait to get in there now, but the win is the most important thing.”

Davitt has been telling anyone that will listen that Gethins can become a fan-favourite and a manager’s dream – but the fighter himself claims he is an opponent’s nightmare.

“As I have always been told, I am a big, tall, rangy southpaw and awkward as fuck to fight. That’s how people describe me and my style.”

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