Legendary career could await Katelynn Phelan according to promoter
It’s all set up for Katelynn Phelan to become a real Irish boxing star claims Conor Slater.
The Kildare teen makes her pro bow on the ‘Clash of the Titans’ card this weekend and her promotional team believe a mixture of her talent and circumstances – particularly surrounding her youth – could see her forge one of the more memorable Irish boxing careers.
Phelan’s migration from amateur to pro sees a rare transition for a such a young and highly thought of now former underage amateur.
Phelan was earmarked as one to make an impact on the international stage and as a result status quo suggests the Kildare light welterweight should remain in the amateur ranks and try to forge a reputation as an elite athlete with world and even Olympic success – and considering she is a seven-time Irish champion, European Junior, and World Youth bronze medallist that path certainly looked an option.
Tá Katelynn Phelan ar bís faoi #ClashOfTheTitans. Don’t miss Katelynn in action this Saturday on @TG4TV. @LoveIrishBoxing @Irishboxingcom @The42_ie #20×20 #TG4Boxing pic.twitter.com/OVv7GefiYO
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) March 26, 2019
However she has elected to follow a pro dream. It’s a unique case points out Slater of Assassin Promotions and presents a scenario that could see the new to the pro game fighter have a remarkable career.
“Women around the world seem to turn over at a later stage. Maybe that’s because the amateurs seem to offer more, but in Katelynn’s case she has wanted to go pro for a long time,” Slater told Irish-Boxing.com.
“It’s a weird one you can go so fast in the women’s game. She could have a legendary career in that regard, but at the same time we have to manage that.
“She has time on her hands she can go as slow as she wants. All the options are there for her, but imagine how young she could be fighting for major titles.”
It’s not just Phelan’s age that makes her standout. Despite not forging a massive senior amateur career the 18 year old turns over with a strong schooling.
The younger sister of Allan Phelan, who fights for the BUI Celtic super featherweight title on the same card this Saturday, is a product of the high performance structure and brings International experience to National Stadium ring this weekend.
Slater certainly thinks fans will notice her quality.
“I think people will take to her. She is sitting down on her shots, has shown good head movement and is quite nibble as well. She is also an elite amateur and a lot of girls that turn over at this level are coming from a limited amateur background and learning on the job.
“Katelynn brings a more schooled approach and has experience of fighting in championships abroad against some of the best young fighters in the world. She is coming straight from winning medals into the pro ranks.”
Phelan will have the fortune of debuting live on TG4 this weekend and Slater believes if the Irish language station remains interested she could develop into a TV headliner.
“TG4 are happy to have her on the bill and it’s great for women’s boxing to have a fighter getting terrestrial TV. TG4 want to show the women’s boxing and I don’t see why she couldn’t top a TV bill down the line.”
Tickets for ‘Clash of the Titans’ cost €40 (general), €60 (ringside), and €100 (VIP) and are available from the boxers involved or Ticketmaster (CLICK HERE).
Kildare Boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire
