Donnellan excited by debut

11 May 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Galway light-middleweight Alan Donnellan realises his lifes ambition on Saturday May 15 when he enters the squared circle for the first time as a professional pugilist. The engaging 23-year-old meets Lincoln roughhouse Ryan Clark on Andy Lees Limerick University headliner.

Its everybodys dream to go pro and be in training all the time, Alan confirmed.

There was no decision to be made as it had always been my ambition and when the opportunity finally arrived I just grabbed it with both hands.

Donnellans debut opponent, Ryan Clark, showed his capabilities in Belfast last weekend when offering a spirited effort in his defeat to big-punching Ryan Greene. Alan, meanwhile, could turn out to be another interesting addition to the already top-heavy Irish light-middleweight scene.

Essentially I want to take it slow, in fact, some guys take boxing fight-by-fight but I want to take it round-by-round, he said. I want to be as technically sound and physical as I can be in each and every round. Id like to think of being a fighter with intelligent aggression. Im not strictly a brawler or a technician either.

As an amateur I came back from a broken shoulder and won titles at a tournament which includes Gardai, soldiers and universities so I got that three times in a row at senior level. I boxed in England and America but for all the highlights nothing is as exciting as turning pro.

The Galwegian originally boxed for the Olympic club in his native city, but is now based at Limericks St Francis gym and trains under the watchful eye of Kenneth Moore. Finbarr OBrien is also on board, but has had his hands full recently preparing Jamie Power for his clash with John Waldron.

Im training with Kenneth Moore and Ive been sparring with a variety of guys and various styles, Donnellan stated.

My sparring work with light-heavyweight Jamie Power has been great. I’m pretty lucky to have been training a lot with the UL sports science and I’m sponsored by River Whole foods, so I think I’ll be in good shape.

I do all the normal stuff like bags, pads, skipping and runs but as well as all that Ive been doing a lot of strength and conditioning work, getting help from guys who work with the Munster team.

I went out to Sheffield and did some work at the boxing centre with Howard Rainey and thats where I got my pro style from, after boxing as a typical Irish amateur up until then. My movement, balance and other things improved following that experience.

Alan is no slouch outside of the ring either, holding an honours degree in quantity surveying, but admits that he is fully prepared to give the sport his full attention.

I work outside of boxing but I want to give it my best shot and have been dedicating all of my time to it recently.

My first fight will be tough but expect excitement, Donellan concluded.