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Sweet success – Major obstacles will make massive triumph all the sweeter

What are being billed as genuine obstacles to victory will be the icing on the cake for Katelynn Phelan [3(0)-0], circumstances which will only make victory taste sweeter.

The Kildare town pro novice is aware she battles the odds as well as Jessica Schadko [8(2)-0] in Germany later today.

The lilywhite is stepping up from four rounds all the way to ten for this bout, to take on a more seasoned well-backed champion and, if a jump in rounds and quality opposition isn’t enough, she will be fighting Schadko behind-closed-doors in the German’s own boxing club, the CPI Gym.

Yet Phelan isn’t deterred by the potential stumbling blocks, rather inspired by them.

“We do know it’s a massive risk, but then again I am a professional fighter and things like this will happen in the pro game,” Phelan told Irish-boxing.com.

“Most fighters wouldn’t take the fight knowing it’s in her gym and with all the stacks against them, they would make 101 excuses why they shouldn’t fight and that’s not me. I like knowing there is a challenge, it will make my victory sweeter.”

Those obstacles may also make a defeat easier to stomach, but the 20-year-old is adamant that that’s a meal she won’t have to digest.

Phelan is extremely confident going into the career changing clash and believes she can get the job done within six.

“I will win the fight in round six,” she declares before explaining the roots of her confidence.

“I’m very confident because I done all the work, day in day out I train hard.

“I focused on all the things I can control, such as training, recovery, nutrition etc. I left no stone un-turned and I will win these belts.”

Phelan adds her confidence shouldn’t be misinterpreted as cockiness. The St Brigid’s BC graduate claims she isn’t making the same mistake as Schadko and underestimating her opponent.

“We know my opponent is good, of course she is, you can’t be at this level of you weren’t any good and we know she will try her best and she will do what she can, but I will be better

“I also know everyone is underestimating me because all they see is a 20-year-old from Ireland with a 3-0 record. They see I have only done four rounders, but no one knows what I’m capable of yet. I’ll show them on Saturday.”

If Phelan wins tonight it won’t be just the German’s that will take note. A victory would earmark the Kildare fighter as a genuine prospect attractive to promoters.

“This victory is massive,” she agrees.

“Not only is it a big stepping stone for me but it will open new doors. I want big fights and I want to show everyone I am well able for these fights.

“Also it will show all them little girls out there that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and if you just take that little leap and follow the process.”

The Boxing Ireland welterweight also claims it would prove she was right to leave the amateurs at such a young age.

“It was just my time to make a change and that was to leave amateur ranks. I don’t regret the decisions at all, but of course this win will show all those who doubted me.”

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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