Aussie Record Breaker Shanell Dargan would LOVE to make Irish title history
Australian boxing record breaker Shanell Dargan would ‘love’ to continue the breaking new ground trend by making Irish boxing history.
The Irish-Aboriginal will check her newly acquired super bantamweight Australian title through Irish customs today, as she comes to the country for a working holiday.
The 29-year-old says she has room in her suitcase for an Irish strap and would more than welcome the chance to one day become a champion of Ireland.
“I would absolutely love that,” she comments when asked about fighting for an Irish title.
“I’m actually heading to Ireland on Tuesday for a camp and sparring. I’m hoping to get in great rounds. I injured my hand in the fight but this was booked before the fight, so still want to head over and do my best.”
No female has ever fought for an Irish professional title, be it the BUI Celtic or the coveted green Irish strap and that is something the winner of the first all-indigenous Australian title fight would welcome changing, most likely as it is a strap she could dedicate to her Grandmother.
The Sydney fighter has strong links to Ireland via Darragh Foley’s number 1 fan, her Nan, a county Armagh woman, who raised her and whom she holds in the highest of regard.
“My nan was there waving the flag,” she says reverting back to her win over Amber Amelia. “She was so happy and proud. I always make sure I represent her with the tri colour on my shorts in every fight.”
Reflecting on the fight itself and how big the win was for her Dargan said: “It was a dream come true. I worked so hard and changed to a new seconds coach, whose gym is an hour away from where I live. I made a lot of sacrifices and they paid off.
“This meant absolutely everything. I trained so hard and to have my son come up there with me made it that more special.”
The history element also added how special a victory it was.
“I want to leave a legacy if you will, so this is just the beginning of that,” she commented.
The subplots behind the dramatic title win are plentiful and added to by the fact Dargan had a difficult end to 2022 boxing-wise. A defeat and a draw a month apart hurt and prompted the former Xfactor star to consider hanging up her gloves.
“I’m not going to lie and say it didn’t because it did [make me consider calling it a day]. But it also really made me work even harder. Those fights could have gone my way they were very close fights and they made me that bit more hungry.”
Like ALL of the Australian champion’s fights to date her last one was an action-packed entertaining affair. However, she points out she was more composed in chaos earlier this month and believes guile played as much part as guts in the win.
“I just have that natural born fighter instinct but I felt I was a lot more composed this time around, which is something I have been working on with my team.”
