Debutant Connolly to make Irish boxing history in Oz tomorrow

ANTHONY Connolly makes Irish boxing history in Perth tomorrow night as he becomes the first Emerald warrior to fight as a professional at minimum weight.

Connolly made the seven and half stone limit yesterday and becomes the latest Irish fighter to try and move up the rankings Down Under as he debuts against fellow novice Payak Sithpajuk in the Kingsway Indoor Stadium, Madeley in Western Australia tomorrow.

The Dubliner might be fighting at the minimum weight available, but he isn’t planning having minimal impact as a pro. The 29 year old ‘Irish Bhoy’ has targeted a Pan Asian title shot down the line, but for now he is just delighted to be fulfilling a dream he thought had passed him by.

“I’m seriously excited about this fight,” Connolly told Irish-boxing.com.

“It is a dream come true to be fighting as a pro. It is a dream I thought was gone to be honest. It is also nice to be making a bit of history. To be the first Irishman to box at minimum weight is a little bit of history I can always claim.

“Fight fans can expect someone with good boxing skill who doesn’t mind a tear up when they come to see me,” he added before highlighting his career goals.

“In the short term it is all just about getting in the ring and enjoy it. Then get a couple of wins and please god get a Pan Asian Pacific shot down the line.