Introducing: Dominic Donegan

Dominic Donegan means business.

One of seven new Boxing Ireland recruits set to debut in the coming months, the Cavan man is one 2019 debutant that doesn’t want to wait around.

In his first interview with Irish-Boxing.com after penning a contract with the team behind the Celtic Clash series, the Drumgoon prospect has laid out his Irish title ambitions and even registered his first call-out.

The Irish Army champion, who is said to be a puncher, wants the light middleweight Irish title within two years and has his sights set at an all-Cavan clash with 3-0 pro Owen Duffy from Shercock.

“I had a look at my division and feel confident I can be Irish champion within two years. It was time for the move over, everyone said my style will suit the pros as I am heavy handed,” he said when discussing the reasons behind ditching the vest.

When the Ulster Intermediate champion points to a two-year domestic dominance plan it’s not that he believes in following the traditional learning curve, rather the 24-year-old seems to see it as the maximum time needed to secure a shot.

Indeed, he already sees the dream Irish title fight and believes a clash between him and Duffy would be massive for Cavan and Ireland.

Fellow Cavan man Duffy next fights in England in March but there is increasing talk of the Assassin fighter bringing a card and a title fight to his home county this year, perhaps a dinner show with the BUI Celtic title on the line – and there is no doubt Boxing Ireland’s Donegan wants to be in the away corner.

Expressing his desire for the clash, which would be the rematch of an amateur meeting, Donegan said that “I honestly think it’s great there are now two pros in Cavan. It’s even better when you think that we are at the same weight, better again is the fact we have a bit of history.”

“He says himself he wants to take boxing back to Cavan, so let’s give them the fight the fans want.”

“We are in the entertainment business now. Owen is doing very well in his career and puts in a lot of hard work so hats off to him but it would be great for him to have a challenge,” he adds.

It’s ambitious and focused from the off from Donegan, but certainly not fanciful.

Indeed, the puncher, who is set to debut on the next Celtic Clash installment, claims he enters the pro ranks excited but realistic in terms of where he thinks he can get to.

The level-headed soldier noted how “I am very excited to start my journey but am going to be realistic. I am not looking to be world champion but I am going to be Irish champion and after that hopefully get a few big fights.

“Short term, I want to fight back to back get myself inline for the BUI Celtic title. When I think long term I am thinking the Irish title. I  won’t be backing away from anyone trying to protect my record I want hard fights not training hard to fight journeymen.”

Preparing for those ‘hard fights’ will take place alongside two Celtic Clash regulars, Stephen McAfee and Dylan McDonagh, under the guidance of Jonathan Lewins – and the Cavan fighter as taken enough confidence from his sparring in the gym to predict he is a name to watch.

“For people who never seen me box before I am a counter punch boxer. I don’t waste any shots and I am heavy handed, so watch out for the name!”