Thomas Finnegan – “It was a tough test, but I’m after passing it”

Thomas Finnegan [1(0)-0] was given a baptism of fire when he made his pro debut on Saturday night.

There were no easy touches for the Jobstown super middleweight on the ‘Unfinished Business’ bill at the National Stadium in Dublin as he faced off against Spaniard Alejandro Mostazo.

Against a hugely game opponent, Finnegan had a strong first three rounds – and indeed nearly stopped the constantly come-forward Mostazo in the third. However, the pro newcomer tired in the final stanza, and had to show serious grit to see out the win as his Iberian opponent poured on the pressure.

A massive learning fight, as well as one which entertained those in attendance, the Tallaght boxer told Irish-Boxing.com afterwards that “I enjoyed it. It was a tough test, but I’m after passing it.”

“I’d like to be back out straight away.”

Fitness more than anything else seemed to be the root cause of Finnegan’s difficult final round, and the Stephen Kavanagh-trained prospect described how “I have to get fit, I’ll get there, I’m only back five weeks. It was my first fight in eight years.”

“He could hit, I wouldn’t say he hurt me, but he got my respect.”

“It was a lot of pressure, but I got through it. With a bit more fitness I would have stopped him in the third.”

A former talented amateur, the 28 year old took plenty from his first time in ten ounce gloves. Finnegan noted how “it’s a lot different [to the amateurs], it’s my first time using them gloves. My hands were down and he was catching me with shots, it’s a different ball game.”

“What I learned from it was to keep my hands up!”

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography