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Ger Healy “ready to go down to Dublin and take that 25 G” following Belfast win


He’s sharp, he’s confident, and he’s got nothing to lose – Gerard Healy believes he is a real contender for Ireland’s Last Man Standing next month.

The Belfast middleweight was in action at the weekend in a warm-up ahead of the big-money Prizefighter-style tournament on March 3rd, and everything seems to be going swimmingly for ‘Boom Boom’ Healy.

The Lenadoon stylist cruised past Iain Jackson at The Devenish Complex on Saturday, showing a wide range of shots and looking ready to make a proper go at the guaranteed minimum €25,000 top prize at the National Stadium in just under three weeks time.

There were no cuts or bruises – indeed there were barely any punches landed from Jackson – and Healy noted afterwards that everything is geared toward the big night, live on TG4.

The 34-year-old told Irish-Boxing.com that “I felt pretty sharp in there. I knew Iain he could punch and he could catch you with his wee swings coming back at you. I was cautious, mixing it up inside with boxing.”

“I hurt him a few times, I think I could have stopped him, but with this big competition in three weeks, the Last Man Standing…. I just wanted to get the rounds in and get a good performance, and everybody enjoyed it.”

Healy, who is trained by Ray Ginley, looked in his best shape for years, and described how “I took that one at late notice – but we’d had a good camp, and the training we were doing and the sparring with Padraig McCrory, Jay Byrne, and even Anto Upton for his speed. It’s all good, it’s bringing me on.”

“My fitness is there, I’m ready to go, and I’m ready for anybody.”

A confident character, Healy didn’t need the four-round win to boost his belief for Last Man Standing. Indeed, the experienced puncher knows what the story is head of the competition which also features Alfredo Meli, Sean McGlinchey, Chris Blaney, Roy Sheahan, Bernard Roe, Nick Quigleyand Jordan Latimer.

“I was confident anyway because I know I’m the underdog and I know there’s no pressure on me,” he outlined.

“I think I’m going to be the one to watch because I’ve nothing to lose. There’s guys there that are meant to be better than me, but in my head they’re not.”

I’ve everything to gain. We’re ready to go down to Dublin and take that 25 G!”

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

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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