Aiden Metcalfe returns – promises to “hammer” Dublin rivals

Following a necessary nine months out, Aiden Metcalfe [1(0)-0] is back with a warning for his domestic rivals.

A nose injury and subsequent surgery has had he Crumlin super featherweight out since his debut back in September.

Now finally firing on all cylinders and training harder than ever, Metcalfe believes he will soon rise to the top of the resurgent Dublin domestic scene – starting with an undercard appearance on Celtic Clash 6 on Saturday June 16th at the Good Counsel GAA Club in Drimnagh.

Metcalfe was given a major scare back on his debut, edging past Poland’s Damian Lawniczak, a fight in which he needed a strong finish to secure a 39-38 win.

The 23-year-old was not happy with his display that night but has revealed that the performance – and the subsequent lay-off – were due to a debilitating injury.

“I hurt my nose in training camp for that fight,” Metcalfe told Irish-Boxing.com.

“I could barely breathe in there, and the following morning I was in the hospital. That wasn’t me in there, I’m a good boxer but that was more of a wrestling match, a slug-fest. I was disappointed with my debut, people didn’t get to see how good I really am.”

“I got surgery to fix the problem with my nose, fix my breathing. It was frustrating being out for so long but I needed to get it sorted once and for all so I can properly get started with my career.”

“I was a good amateur – I didn’t show that in the ring that night and now I want to show people the real Aiden Metcalfe,” added Metcalfe who has watched on frustrated as the Dublin super featherweight division has heated up in his absence.

Sallynoggin’s Stephen McAfee, who he shares the Celtic Clash 6 undercard with, won the BUI Celtic title following an epic two fights with Cork’s Colin O’Donovan. Another Celtic Clash 6 fighter, Niall O’Connor, sees his long-term future perhaps being at 130lbs, while there is also the likes of Allan Phelan and Karl Kelly – who steps up to light welter to face Victor Rabei for the BUI Celtic title in July.

Metcalfe firmly believes he is the best of the bunch and that he will soon prove this,

The young Dubliner outlines how “I’m back now training at Crumlin BC under Phil Sutcliffe. I’m training absolutely every day, pushing myself very hard. I’m going to give my boxing career a real go, not leave anything behind or have any regrets.”

“We have a plan, Stephen [Sharpe, manager] and myself. I’m looking to have two or three fights and then it’s right in with all the other Irish fellas for a title, that BUI Celtic title, by the end of the year.”

“It’s been frustrating being out and seeing all the other lads at the weight building up records and winning titles because I know I’d hammer them all.”

“A fit, on form Aiden Metcalfe will beat anyone.”

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