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Aaron Gethins set to follow in the footsteps of Sligo’s Celtic Clash legend


Aaron Gethins [1(0)-0] goes into ‘Celtic Clash 8’ with the man that launched the series in the most dramatic of fashions in his corner and is hoping to do his coach proud come May 25th.

Stephen ‘The Block’ Reynolds defeated Declan Trainor in a cult small hall fight on the first ever Celtic Clash, registering a stoppage win in a bout that shaped the all-Irish nature of the Boxing Ireland series back in 2013.

Gethins was among the strong Sligo following at the Devenish that night as the cut from stone ‘Block’ played his part in one of the most dramatic and action-packed all Irish fights of all time.

Indeed, the southpaw admits that atmospheric night and the victory for his fellow county man and club coach at Ballinacarrow was one of the things that inspired him to turn pro.

The skilful welterweight now finds himself returning to the same venue for the eighth edition of the popular series on Saturday May 25th and will have the Reynolds, both Stephen and Alan, in his corner.

Considering he is just 20 and in his second fight, Gethins won’t be thrown into title action like Reynolds and if his fight is anything as dramatic he may be disappointed – but he does admit he would like to maintain Sligo’s reputation of entertaining at the venue.

“I was there [when Reynolds fought Trainor]. I was only 16 at the time. It was a great experience to watch Stephan fight and helped motivate me into the professional side of boxing. Hopefully I’ll live up to my coach’s reputation in Belfast come May 25th,” he told Irish-Boxing.com.

Returning to a venue where pro seeds were planted for the then teen suggests there should be an added degree of excitement for a fighter who impressed when he debuted on the undercard of Ray Moylette’s Homecoming in Castlebar.

However, when talking to Gethins you get the impression he couldn’t care less where is second pro fight was hosted.

The young prospect admits the six month gap between fights has left him frustrated and, with the break having been so long, he feels like the Celtic Clash 8 will host his debut.

“I am delighted to get back in the ring after a long wait since my debut, which I would like to thank Leonard Gunning for the slot on the show,” he continued.

“The wait was frustrating. It feels like I am having my first fight all over. The wait is because of an injury. I had to wait so long and hopefully it be a lot quicker true my next few fights,” he adds before suggesting on what he would like to improve on.

“I want to build a higher level of fitness to allow me to throw more punches and hopefully progress since my last fight.”

Fighting as close as he could to his doorstep without actually fighting in his home county on his debut, Gethins brought a noticeably large and vocal support with him and ended up boxing just before the main event.

‘The Kid’ hopes they will follow him to Belfast next month and notes how “or my first fight I was given a great deal of support and hopefully I’ll be able to bring that crowd to Belfast with me.”

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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