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Regan Buckley promising “pro twist” ahead of debut

Regan Buckley doesn’t plan on being your stereotypical Elite amateur convert.

The 2016 Elite Senior light flyweight runner up has turned professional aged just 20, but the Bray flier isn’t going to be doing things like most.

There will be no major style adjustment, no talk of slowing the pace, and Buckley intends to regularly weight-hop.

The Wicklow wonderkid debuts this Saturday at the National Stadium on the Celtic Clash 2 bill, and Buckley believes he will hit the ground running.

Buckley told Irish-Boxing.com that “the adjustment to the pro style has been easy for me. My dad [Mark] has focused on adding to my style rather than change it.”

“We’re working on picking punches better and with more power.”

“I find there are a lot of stereotypes about the pro style where you need to slow down too much. I find that makes for a boring fight.”

“I want to bring excitement and a high pace with a pro twist.”

Buckley was due to debut last month on the It’s A Bout Boxing ‘Táimid Laochra’ bill at the same venue but saw this date fall through.

The 2015 Intermediate champion takes a rather mature view when looking back.

“I was gutted when the show was cancelled,” Buckley admitted before noting how “without that happening I wouldn’t be on this show.”

“It helped with my weight cut as I knew I’d make bantamweight, but now I’m at super flyweight. heading for flyweight.”

“It was good to see the lows of the pro game early in my career as it will stand to me later on. It’s made me hungrier.”

“I’ve a great team of coaches around me. My dad has kept my spirits high and has kept pushing me and I couldn’t ask for anyone better in my corner on Saturday.”

Due to difficulties in sourcing opponents, Buckley was initially due to debut at bantamweight (118lbs) – and admits that a fight at super bantam (122lbs) was on the cards – however he will make his pro bow at super flyweight (115lbs).

Buckley explained that it was his father and trainer who pushed for a fight at the lighter weight and described how “we know I have the power to fight bigger guys but he suggested I stay at the weight I was and don’t try bulk up as I am sharper and stronger at the lighter weight and didn’t want me to be sluggish.”

“I’m only 20, so I will grow, but for now I’m a flyweight boxer.”

“I can move up and down when needed as I rarely spar guys as light as me.”

“I’ve been sparring top pros like Anthony Cacace, Stephen Carroll, Eric Donovan, and Allan Phelan.

“I’ve also had the pleasure to get great rounds in with Christina McMahon before her world title fight in Mexico and got some great tips off herself and Martin McMahon about fighting professional. It was great as she has been there and got the t-shirt so it helped me a lot.”

The opponent on Saturday will be Englishman Gary Reeve [1(0)-10(2)], a change from the initially announced Stefan Sashov, and Buckley is happy to be facing a game journeyman.

The St Teresa’s man outlined how “we’ve studied him. He likes to fight which will suit me down to the ground and make for a great fight. ”

“I have a couple of inches on him which will be nice for a change not to be the smaller guy!”

“I’m hoping to produce an exiting, explosive performance. I’m fully prepared for four rounds but if I see an opportunity for a stoppage I’m taking it.”

Buckley is proudly sponsored by 3Scaffolding, TNT Gym Bray, and The Coach Inn Bray.

The card next on Saturday is headlined by Eric Donovan, with further support from Mike Perez, Jay Byrne, Gerard Whitehouse, Stephen Carroll, Sean Creagh, Vladimir Belujsky, Rohan Date, Carl McDonald, Allan Phelan, and Lynn Harvey, as well as debutants John Joyce, Liam Gaynor, John Corcoran, Stephen McAfee, and Keane McMahon.

Tickets for Celtic Clash 2 are priced at €15 (Under 15s), €30, €40, €45, and €55 (Premium), and are available from the boxers involved.

frayne carpentry

Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey speak to Jason Quigley on Episode 5 of The Irish Boxing Show:

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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