Con Sheehan secures Irish debut win
Con Sheehan showed Irish fight fans what they have been missing tonight in Belfast.
The Tipperary big man made his Irish debut this evening on the Boxnation ‘Homecoming’ card at the Titanic Exhibition Centre and dispatched Plymouth-based Pole Kamil Sokolowski in an entertaining clash
Scheduled for eight rounds Sokolowski, whose only previous stoppage losses came to Dillian Whyte and Hatton prospect Nathan Gorman, lasted the distance and gave Sheehan a good test for what was just his fourth fight
While he didn’t score a stoppage, 27 year old Sheehan at times gave an exhibition of his vast skill set, built in the High Performance Unit and added to by Virgil Hunter and now Peter Fury.
Sheehan began confidently, taking centre ring and finding a permanent home for his sharp jab on the musclebound Pole.
The Munster man opened up in the second, showing a wider range of shots. While he was tagged once or twice himself, Sheehan landed the far greater number of shots, sending Sokolowski reeling back into the ropes twice.
Sheehan’s timing seemed to click in the third round as he began to land counters on the Pole at will and go through the gears toward the end of the round to the delight of the vociferous Clonmel travelling support.
Sokolowski landed a big overhand right early in the fourth which, for a split-second, buzzed Sheehan, but otherwise the Irishman was on top in the exchanges, showing impressive handspeed.
An even enough fifth was taken by Sheehan who raised the tempo in the final minute, throwing some eye-catching combos.
Sheehan dominated the sixth, with Sokolowski seemingly tiring, although the durable Eastern European didn’t look in an danger of being stopped.
The quiet seventh, perhaps a rest round, saw Sheehan evade much of the Poles attacks, pot-shotting in return as he went continued into uncharted territory having previously never been past four rounds as a pro.
An entertaining final round saw both boxers empty the tank at close quarters to round out the fight.
Going to the scorecards, Sheehan took the clash by a margin of 79:74.
The victory improves Sheehan’s perfect record to 4(1)-0, while Sokolowski drops to 2(0)-8(2).
Next up for the Clonmel man is rumoured to be a slot on the undercard of stable mate Hughie Fury’s next card, which looks likely to be some time next month.
