‘I believe it’s me’ – Paul Loonam Makes Best in Ireland Claim
Paul Loonam has no doubts about where he belongs in one of Ireland’s most competitive divisions.
The Offaly super bantamweight will put that belief on the line against former Irish champion Ruadhan Farrell when the pair meet for the vacant 126;bs title at the National Stadium on Saturday.
With the main event fast approaching, Loonam says the fight will settle a simple question – who the best at the weight is in Ireland.
And the stylish is confident he will be judged positively on Judgement Day.
“Saturday night we’ll find out who the best super bantamweight in Ireland is and I believe that’s me,” Loonam told Irish-boxing.com.
Farrell enters the contest with previous Irish title-winning experience and is seeking to regain the belt, but the former amateur of note believes his why is much bigger.
“No doubt Ruadhán’s coming with the fire in his belly as well because he wants to claim back the title
“But there is bigger fire in me. I am doing it for my kids and doing it for my dad who’s now up in heaven and he’ll be there guiding me and supporting me.”
The bout represents another major step in Loonam’s career after a period of considerable change outside the ring.
The former Unit 3 boxer recently moved to Dublin Docklands, having trained at home with his brother for his February fight, believing he needed to immerse himself in a stronger competitive environment.
“I needed to be around really good pros, really good elite boxers,” he explained of the gym of choice for Pierce O’Leary, Emmet Brennan, Ava Henry, the Whelan brothers and more.
“I just felt like I needed to be around like-minded people.
“It’s not just Philip, it’s the club, Dublin Docklands. It’s all the volunteers who give their hard hours every evening to train the kids, train the seniors, train me myself.
“I’m very grateful to have them, and look, I feel like home there now.”
