Cured Connor Coyle ready to make major step forward in Florida
Disease held Connor Coyle [8(3)-0] back from making the breakthroughs he wanted last year but the Derry middleweight is now fit and ready for a big 2019.
The Florida-based Coyle fought just once in 2018, scoring a good win over Danny Pastrana before being forced out of a fight in October.
Suffering severe back pain, Coyle’s development was stunted and it was found that he had contracted Lyme Arthritis. The Ballynagalliagh boxer, however, remained positive throughout and, now back to full fitness, he makes his return to the ring on Saturday night.
‘The Kid’ headlines a UFC Fight Pass card at the St Petersburg Coliseum versus Louisiana’s Travis Scott [19(5)-4(2)] and the 28-year-old is feeling better than ever and determined to make up for lost time.
Coyle described how he has “a stressful and frustrating end to 2018, I was diagnosed with Lyme Arthritis! It held me back from one or two big fights but I’ve been treated and cured by Enda Masterson from ‘Master Health’ in Letterkenny.”
“Looking on now to a much brighter start to 2019, I’m making a huge step up in my opponents – starting with Travis Scott, 19-4 record, scheduled for 10 rounds.”
“I’m happy to say I’m probably in the best shape mentally than I’ve ever been, I’m just very grateful that I have been given another chance to do what I love.”
Eight fights in, Coyle has faced some game opposition so far, with Scott looking like a decent step up.
The Commonwealth Games bronze medallist is keen to continue rising smartly and outlined how “we’re building my career at the right pace, and not rushing into anything too big, too soon.”
“We think this is a great fight for us, especially for the experience this boy has. He will be a very difficult fight as he is a negative fighter, a slick counter puncher, but we’ve put the work in this camp, and we will be ready for anything that comes our way.”
“I’m very excited to get back into the ring, and get myself going again. Once this fight is over, we will be looking on to another fight in April.”
“My fitness levels are at the highest they’ve ever been, I’ve been doing 10 rounds of sparring, three days a week, and loads of bag work, pad work, road work, all the extras that has to be done.”
This intense training has been carried out in Florida, where Coyle fights and finishes his camps.
It’s an added layer of determination and sacrifice for the Foylesider who has a young family back home in Derry.
Coyle explained how “I’m missing my daughter Clódaghrose’s third birthday.”
“This is the second birthday now I haven’t been able to be there for her, but I’ve been speaking frequently on FaceTime, and that does help. I know she’s had a great time as Ashleigh has put together a great party for her on Sunday and I’ve spoke with them over the phone.”
“I will be home on Monday and I can also have my party time with her, I’m sure she wouldn’t complain having a couple of birthday parties!”
Giving thanks to his large support system that helped him through a tough 2018, Coyle outlined how “I’d like to thank my girl Eva, who has repeatedly supported me, through the good times, and more so the worst of last year. She has been great through it all, and now she has travelled to Florida on her own to support me even further for Saturday night. I couldn’t ask for a better person to be by my side through this whole experience.”
“I’d like to thank my whole team at home who are always there for me no matter what, since I was 12 years old – Cahir Duffy, Kevin Duffy, Liam McLaughlin, And all the lads of St Joseph’s Boxing Club. Special thanks to Cahir who puts a lot of time into me through his hectic schedule, to get me prepared to come over to camp in Florida. I never have a worry coming here, because he pushes me extremely hard in and out of the gym.”
“I’m also so grateful I met my Hall of Fame boxing coach and manager, Jim McLoughlin and John Vinciguerra. They have been more than good to me, and I’m very happy how we are moving along in my professional career.”
“Also a big thanks to all my fans who support me and follow my fights, I’m glad to have a good concrete base of fans and they seem to be growing, at home and across the pond. Thanks to all my Sponsors in Derry – Classique Floor Designs, Paul’s Butchers, G&K Contracts, The Metro Bar, The Bentley Bar, S.Co,, and James McClean.”
