Bearded Wonder Jono Carroll wants to push on following quality win over Quigley

He declared both his beard and 0 were staying before he took on Johnny Quigley last Saturday – and after delivering on his promise, Dunshaughlin super featherweight Jono Carroll [14(1)-0] claims both his facial hair and his unbeaten record will continue to grow.

‘King Kong’ claimed the IBF East/West Europe belt with an impressive twelve-round win over the former amateur stand out from Liverpool – and while he claims family time is in his immediate future, he is determined to keep moving in the right direction.

Speaking after victory in what was the fight of the night, the MTK boxer is now adamant nothing will stop his beard or career growth.

“I told everyone the beard and the 0 were both staying. I wasn’t lying was I?”

“The beard is going to keep growing and I plan on keeping the 0 too. I might have to put rasta bands in the beard so people can see my chin!”

“I am happy to see where my career is going. Since I joined MTK I have great momentum and hopefully we can push on and get better and better.”

“I am just happy for now. I am going to enjoy this with my family. I put a lot of hard work into this and I sacrificed a lot. I am going to go home kiss the baby and enjoy time with the baby and my missus.”

While Carroll was delighted with the belt, he seemed more please with the support that showed up for what was only his second ever fight in Ireland.

Just like he did when he was involved the Irish Fight of the Year against Declan Geraghty back in 2014, he claims he needed his supporters in what was another all action contest.

“The crowd was amazing. In the last two rounds they really helped. You feel real proud when they are cheering you on. There were two Scousers on the bill so he had a crowd that played a part too.”

“Being in Ireland was great and I am so proud to bring people up to Belfast. There were so many kids from my Da’s club [Ballymun] and I have had so many texts from people in the last few days, it’s amazing.”

“The belt is great but the little kids coming up looking for pics and getting in touch, things like that that are amazing. It’s better to have people looking up to you and wishing you well it’s a great feeling.”

Win number 14 came after a split decision. The reaction to such a scorecard is usually defensive, as fighters argue how they can’t understand how one judge wasn’t in line with the other two, but not Carroll.

In his typical non-typical fashion Carroll went as far as to describe how he was glad his opponent, who he twice sent to the canvas in round two, was rewarded for his part in an entertaining clash.

“I am almost happy he got the split to be honest. You have to give it to him he did put the effort in and fought till the end and made it a very hard fight.”

“When they said split I knew I had it because I dropped him twice. There was no way in a million years he won more rounds so I wasn’t panicking. I was thinking ‘fair enough,’ and I knew I had it won.”

“I would have looked like a clown if I didn’t after standing up on the side of the ring and giving it loads,” he added with a laugh.

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