Kildare Combo – Phelan believes herself and Donovan could inspire Lilywhite card

When people have suggested Donovan and Phelan would be the perfect pair to bring big time boxing to Kildare they were predicting an Irish title fight between reigning Irish featherweight champion Eric Donovan and Allan Phelan was the perfect headliner for a lilywhite card.

However, Katelynn Phelan [1-0] believes there is another Donovan Phelan combination that would work in terms of exciting the Kildare fight supporters and ensuring a successful card in The Thoroughbred County.

Having signed with Boxing Ireland last week Ireland’s youngest female pro – she turned 19 last week- has become a stablemate of one of the promotional companies leading lights, Donovan – and she believes now Boxing Ireland have two well known lilywhites they can call their own a Kildare show looks more likely.

It’s certainly a county Leonard Gunning and Stephen Sharpe have been keen to visit and they have made inquiries with regard to a Donovan topped show, but nothing has materialized as of yet.

That may change now they have added a fighter built as a ‘teen sensation’ to the well respected former Irish amateur standout as Kildare representation on their books.

“I would absolutely love to have a Kildare show,” the teen told Irish-Boxing.com

“I believe that now with myself along side Eric that we can push it a little more for a Kildare show. It would be pretty amazing to show what I can do in my home county.”

The younger sister of pro Allan Phelan debuted live on TG4 and under the Assassin Promotions banner. However, last week she teamed up with Boxing Ireland and is hopeful the promoters behind the Celtic Clash series can help her win a BUI Celtic title in 2019.

“I’ve always know of Boxing Ireland and I’ve been talking to a few of their fighters and I heard the lads treat their boxers really well. They seem to be in it for the right reasons,” she adds explaining the move.

“Since I had no contracts signed I decided to give Stephen (Sharp) a shout and see what they could offer me and out of all the people that got back to me their offer was the best one I got,” she continues before addressing her short term plan.

“We don’t know to be exact what the next year will hold, but I want to get my record up and get myself a good following and hopefully get a Celtic title.”

There was a large degree of hype surrounding the the 18-year-old’ debut. Having won European Junior and World Youth bronze medals, the teen was seen as a genuine amateur prospect.

However, her heart was always in pro boxing and having pestered her father for quiet sometime he allowed her to ditch the headgaurd and make the unusual step – in terms of female fighting – of turning over very young.

Phelan admits fighting under the lights in the pro arena on the Clash of the Titans card last March was dream come true stuff, but does believe there is some improving to be done before see reaches dream performance records.

“My debut was a dream night, I would do it a thousand times if I could. I really enjoyed it. I done exactly what my team asked which was get the experience in and enjoy myself. I was a little over anxious in the first round but that was natural to happen because i didn’t know what to expect, I loved every moment of it.”

“Since my debut I took a few days rest and got straight back into training. I can’t wait to get back into the ring. I’ve been training with my dad and also with Niall Barrett in Unit3 Health and Fitness in Naas and I believe we are a strong team.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)