Hot prospect Caoimhin Ferguson hopeful of landing “the big one”

Caoimhin Ferguson has become a hot property in Belfast over the past year and is aiming now cement his growing reputation with a maiden Elite Senior final win in Dublin tomorrow night.

The West Belfast light welterweight gave European Games bronze medalist Sean McComb a surprisingly tough fight in the final of the Ulster Seniors and has been racking up some good wins, defeating the likes of Bernaldo Marime, Vinny Esler and, last Friday night, Colm Quinn.

The unanimous win over the Castlebar puncher saw 19-year-old Ferguson through to an Irish Elite Senior final at the first attempt and he will face last year’s runner-up, Wayne Kelly, in the 64kg decider tomorrow.

Ferguson was happy with the result last weekend but knows he needs to improve if he is to defeat his experienced opponent in Dublin.

Reflecting on his semi-final win, the Belfast teen told Irish-Boxing.com that “It was good but, to be honest, I didn’t feel as if I performed to my best.”

“I felt, because he was dipping the head a lot, that I couldn’t find my range.”

“That was getting the ring rust off after Sean McComb. I felt sharp enough, I just needed to get the ring rust off after a long time out of the ring.”

“I hope to improve for the final. I’ll be a lot sharper.”

His performance versus McComb at the Ulster Hall in November won Ferguson many plaudits and the new Clonard clubman can feel himself improving rapidly.

Regarding McComb, he described how “it was a great experience. That was a big ask for me. I was confident going in to it but I knew what I was in against. Sean McComb, he was very good and I wish him the best for the Commonwealths.”

“I’ve changed club now to Clonard and I feel like I’ve improved as a fighter. I think the change has done me good.”

A fighter who is highly thought of around the Belfast gyms, Ferguson hopes to put all his preparations to good use this weekend.

He outlined how “I’ve been sparring pros, the likes of Anto Upton and I used to spar Paul Hyland. I think that brought me on, strength-wise. I’m a lot more mature as a 64kg.”

“I’ve matured more as a fighter. My strength has improved, I feel more strong at the weight.”

“I just need to find my rhythm and start a bit quicker.”

“I hope to do well. Hopefully I win the big one, the final.”

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