Defeated Allan Phelan vows to bounce back – “Things like this make the victories sweeter”

In no other sport is defeat given so much respect. Lose a bout in boxing and pundits, fans, and even fighters are all to ready to prepare career eulogies.

However Allan Phelan [7(4)-3(1)-1] is adamant that his first defeat on home soil suffered in the National Stadium last month is just a bump in, rather the end of, the road.

The Kildare featherweight admits he did spend some time in mourning and took three weeks to get over losing to journeyman Jamie Quinn, but is now in a more positive frame of mind.

Phelan is now feeling fine and is determined to ensure that the set back is a small one. The defeat has put paid to the rumoured Irish title fight with fellow Lilywhite Eric Donovan, but the Celtic Warrior Gym fighter is in a positive frame of mind and says he will learn the appropriate lessons from the loss.

“I was down and bit depressed over the whole thing to be honest. It took three weeks off and now I am back at it. I just had to understand these things happen in boxing and in life also, things like this make the victories sweeter when they come,” the fighter who began his career in America told Irish-Boxing.com.

“It”s a small bump in the road but we are back and will be even better this time,” promises the Newbridge man.

Phelan admits he wasn’t quite at his best, but still feels he did enough to win against another strong journeyman appearing on a Red Corner show.

The 25 year old, who noted the weight advantage held by Quinn, does admit there are things to address, but revealed he is already back working with Paschal Collins in a bid to prevent any other potential setbacks.

“I thought my performance was okay, not my best performance to date, but that’s boxing.”

“I was at the wrong weight also but I thought I done enough to win it, just didn’t perform as well as I was in the gym and just had a bad night. These things happen.”

“A few things went wrong. I have to sit back fix these things, make sure I perform and work hard for the next fight.”

“Again it’s only a small setback. I am back training now and aiming for the next fight make sure this doesn’t happen again, always room for improvements.”

Kildare Boxing is proudly sponsored by Liffey Crane Hire

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography