BOOM BOOM – Larne Lightweight turns Professional
Boxing Ireland’s Ulster expansion has continued today with the announcement of the signing of Larne lightweight Kelvin McDonald.
Hailing from the town that gave us IBF flyweight champion Dave Boy McAuley, ‘Boom Boom’ McDonald enters the pro game with extensive amateur and semi-pro experience.
The talented teen has represented Antrim in the past and had hoped to represent Northern Ireland at last year’s Commonwealth Youth Games in the Bahamas only to be beaten at the final hurdle by eventual team captain Dominic Bradley.
McDonald has been fighting on the semi-pro circuit recently and, earlier this month, won a Prizefighter-style tournament on a UBBF show in Newry where he defeated Lurgan’s Jamie Douglas in the final. Douglas, last week, was also confirmed to be turning pro with Boxing Ireland.
The outfit’s boss, Leonard Gunning, said that “over a year ago myself and Kelvin Mc Donald started talking about getting him started with his professional career.”
“In that time he’s not sat about and has really worked hard. So I’m really excited that today he finally sat down with Dennis Morrison [Boxing Ireland Head of Northern Operations] and inked professional terms.”
“We’ve all loads more work to do but Kelvin will be lifting proper titles soon. Can’t wait. Welcome to the team Kelvin.”
McDonald will debut next year.
Boxing Ireland intend to begin running shows in Belfast in the near future and the signing of McDonald adds more Ulster depth to their stable.
He joins Douglas, Antrim cruiser Conor Cooke, and Belfast middle Conor Doherty on the roster which also includes southern talents such as BUI Celtic champions Eric Donovan and Carl McDonald.
McDonald is the second Irish fighter to turn pro this week following Dublin heavyweight Paddy Nevin who has turned over with Assassin Promotions.
