John Hutchinson ready for St Patrick’s Day war

With St Patrick’s Weekend coming up, it is a huge couple of days for Irish boxers, with a lorry-load of fighters in action on Irish-themed cards around the world.

Kicking us off on Friday morning is John Hutchinson [8(2)-2(0)-2], with the Donegal light middleweight continuing his world tour in Perth.

The MTK fighter has relocated tot Thailand to continue his career, but has made a temporary trip down to Australia for a fight on St Patrick’s Day at the WA Italian Club in Perth.

Hutchinson scored a stoppage win over Sunun Sangpet in Bangkok in January, and went straight back into camp for this fight.

Grateful for the activity, the Buncrana Banger is feeling good ahead of his six-rounder in Western Australia, and told Irish-Boxing.com that “camp has been great for this one. I’ve jumped straight into camp after the last fight so preparation has been spot on. I was sparring in Bangkok then finished my conditioning program at Unit 27 Phuket. That got my fitness levels bouncing for Perth.”

“Since landing I’ve been sparring Wes Capper, the Australian middleweight champion and Jamie Weetch, and a mix of lads. I’ve hooked up with Justin Lacy at Lacy’s gym, has been top class coaching and training, we clicked on stuff straight away and enjoying it all. Even though this is a short camp together, it’s been great.

“I’ve been working with Nutrition Natasha Sumegi over here and in Thailand, got my weight done top class. I was on the weight last week so I’ve just been maintaining it now.”

For Hutchinson, there will be plenty of familiar voices in the crowd cheering him on at the weekend. He explained that “Perth will be like a home from home. I’ve so many friends from Buncrana living here and it’s one of most beautiful places, and the people are all top class and helpful. I just can’t wait to fight here on Paddy’s Day, the support is top class!”

The 30 year old has a gameplan going into the fight, but admits that the lure of putting on a show on our national holiday may see a change of plan. Hutchinson described how “the plan is to box smart and get the rounds under my belt – but it’s Paddy’s Day, I could fight fire with fire! I’m ready for good 6 rounds.”

While he will face journeyman opposition again, the most important thing for Hutchinson is activity as he finally starts to build momentum after a frustrating few years. He outlined how “I’m being kept busy now and there’s plenty in the pipeline. I’m just keeping the head down, getting the fights in one by one this year, and getting back to full fight fitness and sharpness.”

Jamie Conlan joins Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill for Episode 3 of The Irish Boxing Show: