Schad-KOd – Katelynn Phelan stuns German starlet for famous win

It happened as they predicted, almost to the exact round.

Katelynn Phelan has defeated Jessica Schadko in a huge upset in Germany, forcing the fancied welterweight prospect to quit on her stool following a prolonged beat-down in Bavaria.

Kildare’s Phelan traveled to Schadko’s own CPI Gym in the Munich suburb of Donauwouerth and put on a punishing performance to claim a stoppage win after the home fighter pulled out after five rounds of punishment.

A sensational performance which followed a gameplan set out by Phelan and coach Niall Barrett – who predicted the end would come after six – ‘The Smiling Assassin’ got the job done with minimal fuss and maximum efficiency, bringing home the WBC Youth and WIBA and WBF world titles in the process.

Team Phelan had planned an ambush, believing themselves to have been underestimated by Schadko’s handlers. Having been in camp before they even stepped in to replace initial opponent Valentina Keri, this plus a postponement of six weeks from the original September 5th date meant that Phelan was in, by far, career-best shape – and it showed.

While Schadko had no amateur career of note, the 19-year-old had taken to the ring nine times previously as a pro. Most notably, last September, she defeated Bosnian Matija Paradzik [then 3-0] via majority decision over ten rounds – again at the CPI Gym.

There’d be no need for cards tonight, however, as Phelan jumped on her opponent from the off and never let up, eventually forcing the finish at the halfway point.

Phelan began quickly, firing off flurries and driving Schadko to the ropes. Huge backhands and piercing lefts fired through leaving the German somewhat shellshocked in what was a dominant opening round.

The response from Schadko came at the start of the second but the Phelan ferocity continued, knocking her opponent’s head back multiple times.

A rather finicky referee was being given plenty to do as Schadko held constantly in a slower third which was to the benefit of the home fighter who was able to pick shots from distance.

Phelan increased her bodywork in the fourth as the home crowd attempted to rally Schadko who was coming off, by far, second best.

The punchstats for fifth round would be a sight. Phelan’s most dominant thus far, she had Schadko – who was warned for ducking – reeling in the closing seconds.

Following the conclusion of the whirlwind fourth, the WBC rules allowed for the scorecards after four to be read out – with Phelan in the blue corner announced as being up 40-36 and 39-37 x2 but it needn’t have mattered as pandemonium ensued.

That very blue corner erupted seconds later as Team Schadko informed the referee that their fighter would not be returning for the sixth round, handing Phelan a thoroughly-deserved TKO win and one of the results of the year for Irish boxing.

The glorious victory sees Phelan improve to 4(1)-0 and pick up the WBC Youth title along with the WIBA and WBF belts. The outclassed and outfought Schadko falls to 8(2)-1(1).

Still only 20, Phelan has elevated herself to become one of the hottest properties in the sport.

A move down to light welterweight before further title opportunities is likely but, for now, one of the Irish boxing results of the year is to be toasted.