Grown-Up Problems for young star Brandon McCarthy
Following an unprecedented 13 underage titles and having represented Ireland in the maximum possible six European Championships – including winning silver at Schoolboys level – Brandon McCarthy is now a big boy and has big boy problems to deal with.
The Kilkenny lightweight seamlessly moved into the adult ranks over the last few weeks. McCarthy picked up the Senior [Intermediate] title last Friday and is now one of the favourites for the Elite Championships which begin this weekend.
However, the 18-year-old knows that things are only going to get harder from here.
Currently stranded in the non-Olympic lightweight class and now working a full-time job, a lot of commitment is required from McCarthy who is targeting the Paris Olympics in five years’ time.
“I’ve grown-up problems now!” laughs the confident St Michael’s Athy slickster when talking to Irish-Boxing.com following his Senior final win over Cookstown’s Teo Alin
McCarthy explained how “it’s tough now. I’m working now, I’m doing an apprenticeship as an electrician. I’m working five days a week and then training, it’s hard, but it’s working for me at the minute.”
“It’s a lot tougher than Youth level and it was a big step-up from boxing Youth just a few weeks ago. But I think it suits me a bit more without the headguard, I feel a lot freer, that I can move more. I think it will suit me when I settle down into it.”
“It’ll get harder though and I’ll need to take another step-up. I don’t know how, I’ll need to come up with a plan.”
The plan versus the physically strong Alin was to box and McCarthy did enough to get the nod.
“It was a tough one,” he reflects. “He was a very awkward opponent, really durable, and I think the cleaner shots just won it for me.”
“He was a tough fella, he’s been around a while, so it was nice to get the win.”
There’s no rest for McCarthy who will be in the draw for the Elites which begin on Friday.
It’s another step on a long, long road and McCarthy outlines how “I know it’s not an Olympic weight but I’m only 18. I’ll go into it, try my best, try get an Elite title, and continue working towards 2024.”
