Roy Sheahan breaks his Ireland’s Last Man Standing silence

Six weeks after he was lifting blocks on a building site, Roy Sheahan [4(1)-0] was lifting the imaginary Ireland Last Man Standing trophy aloft after a brilliant night in the National Stadium.

It was a story that captured the public imagination and a victory that looked certain to provide the former amateur stand out with the fuel to give him a career blast-off the likes of which is rarely seen

However, just short of three months later, the 33-year-old Athy favourite is back on labouring and claims the tournament win, which was broadcast live on TG4, was as much a curse as it was a blessing.

Winning the eight-man single-elimination Prizefighter style-tournament in front of a TV audience said to be in excess of 300,000 at its peak meant  the EU gold medalist acquired in one night a profile that 15-0 fighter would kill for.

Sheahan dropped and outpointed Vladimir Belujsky, outboxed Irish super middleweight champion JJ McDonagh, and sensationally stopped Jack Cullen in the final of the Red Corner Promotions fight night which was run in association with Assassin Boxing.

The tournament victory also put him in for the Irish title and 2018 looked odds on to be a breakout year for Sheahan.

However, speaking to Irish-boxing.com on Thursday, Sheahan cut a downbeat figure, worried his pro dreams had gone up in smoke. 

The lilywhite is still in a strong position to kick on and proved on March 3rd that he certainly has the talent to make an impact.

However, ‘The Joker’ claims he still hasn’t received the majority of the €26,000 prize winnings owed and the four fight pro novice says that has affected him badly.

Irish-Boxing.com investigated the non-payment of Sheahan back in April – READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE.

Sheahan politely declined to comment back then but has now broken his silence and told this website that he won’t fight on until he is paid.

This is both due to the fact he wouldn’t be in a position to commit enough time without the money to support his family and because his trust levels have dropped substantially.

Sheahan has received just €5,000 of the €26,000 owed – with another €5,000 due to his amateur club, St Michael’s Athy.

The Boxing Union of Ireland have stated that Red Corner have failed to pay the talented fighter and the Dublin promotional outfit have disappeared from view following Last Man Standing.

Assassin remain on the scene, and are associated to the upcoming JB Promotions show at the National Stadium on July 7th. The English outfit have stated they have already invested a lot into Sheahan – whom they had hoped to sign but were turned down – and that, technically, they are under no obligation to come in and cover the payments due from Red Corner.

Sheahan is not majorly interested in politics or paperwork and just wants his money.

The Kildare fighter told Irish-Boxing.com that “it’s been a really hard few weeks and has left me stressed and down.”

“At this stage I just want to get paid so I can move on. I don’t want to be falling out with anyone, but I think everyone agreed I should be paid.”

“I entered the tournament like every other fighter with the expectation of being getting the money advertised for winning.”

Hopefully it will be resolved soon and I can look forward,” he added, indicating that he does see a future for himself inside the ring.

While it’s hard for the talented middleweight to look forward at present, he is adamant he wants things resolved so he can achieve his pro goals.

“I want to fight. I still have the fire. I think I proved I have the talent to do well. After just six weeks training I won Last Man Standing up at 75kgs.”

“I did something lads pro for two years and with a load of camps under their belt would be happy with. I would come straight back in a BUI Celtic title fight or even Irish title fight.”

“I am mandatory for the Irish title win that and I can look toward a European title. So hopefully this can be resolved and I can move forward.”

Kildare Boxing is supported by Liffey Crane Hire

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