Connor Coyle ready for pro debut following “killer” first six weeks in Florida

Friday night in Florida sees the debut of former amateur star Connor Coyle.

The Derry fighter is one of the golden generation of Irish middleweights, winning bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Coyle’s Rio Olympic dreams were however extinguished at last year’s Seniors by Conor Wallace and he elected to make the move to the pros. Now, nearly eleven months later, the St Josephe’s stylist finally makes his paid bow on the other side of the Atlantic.

Coyle spoke to Irish-Boxing.com about his relocation to St Petersburg in Western Florida and admitted that “the first six weeks have been a killer. The humidity has been seriously hot and sticky. But it has cooled down enough for me now, and it has been great training in it, because it has brought me to another level.

The move to Florida under Jim McLoughlin, former coach of Winky Wright, came about this Summer following a stalled period for Coyle who explained that “I have been frustrated a lot because I had offers on the table, and things just didn’t appeal to me, or suit me at that moment.”

“I just wanted to turn pro, and have a fresh start.”

That fresh start has finally come about alongside former amateur team-mate John Cooley [1(0)-0] under McLoughlin where he is developing his pro style. Coyle, who intends to drop down to light middleweight, detailed how “I have a slick style, fast footwork, fast hands – but, now since I’ve came to the States to turn professional, I’ve been working a lot on power, and moving my head with my hands up at all times.”

His debut finally takes place at the All Star Boxing card titled ‘Attack and Conquer’ at the A La Carte Pavilion in nearby Tampa, but the Ulsterman is still unsure of his opponent, and revealed how “I’ve had 5 different opponents, each one has pulled out. But I was told not to worry, I will have an opponent this week.”

“I’m just continuing my same regime and focusing on what I have to do.”