A Cut Above – McShane delighted with Big Rogie link-up
The Dan McShane-Martin Rogan link up, fittingly, has its roots in a haircut.
Having suffered a dislocated shoulder and subsequently his first defeat back in February of 2015, boxing barber McShane [9(3)-1(1)] effectively hung up the gloves and concentrated on the scissors as his tool of work.
It was then, whilst using his scissors on the unmistakable crown of former Commonwealth heavyweight ring king Rogan, that a conversation started which ultimately lead to McShane returning to the gym. This started a journey that will now see him fight on Kieran Farrell’s ‘A New Era’ fight card set at the Devenish Venue in Belfast on Saturday April 22nd.
‘Big Rogie’ persuaded the super featherweight that it was time to return to the gym and, since then, their relationship blossomed and McShane believes it can help him become a cut above the rest in the ring.
“Martin came to Cambridge Barbers where I work, he saw that I was out of shape. So he said ‘Dan, you’re out if shape, why don’t you come over and get yourself back into shape?” McShane recalled to Irish-Boxing.com.
“There was nothing in it at all, but Martin saw something in me when I was in the gym and said ‘Dan why are you wasting this talent, why don’t you get back in the ring and I will help you every step of the way’
“That’s when i said to myself I have got the right backing, I’ve got a man I look up to in the boxing world and a former Prizefighter and Commonwealth champ willing to be in my corner. What more could I ask for? So now I am making my comeback.”
With ‘The Insane’ and the ‘The Entertainer’ working in close quarters together you can be sure that media and hype-wise, things could get explosive, but it’s in the ring where McShane claims the majority of fireworks will happen.
“Things have been going great so far. I haven’t trained so hard in my life. The other thing is, Martin knows me inside out and I know him inside out and that’s what makes us a great team.”
Indeed, so well are the pair gelling that McShane is promising a ‘take over.’ The 24 year old claims he has found his passion for the game again thanks to the popular fighter and is excited about the future.
“The passion is back for good this time,” he continued.
“This wont be for a year, or two, or whatever, myself and Martin are here to take over. I’m not wasting my time nor is Martin so we are here to make an impact. Martin is the reason I have got my passion back. I am enjoying every second of training and he knows how to motivate me.”
