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‘I don’t think there’s anybody in the world that could last the distance’ – Gunning backs Phelan to become KO machine

Katelynn Phelan [4(1)-0] could blast her way to the top of the world particularly if she moves down the weights stresses Leonard Gunning.

The Boxing Ireland promoter is one of many who heralded the Kildare native’s victory over the previously undefeated  Jessica Schadko [8-1(1)] as a game changer.

The St Brigid’s BC graduate picked a world youth title and three other trinkets, registering a win that caught the attention of Summer Lynn and the likes.

Gunning remains is adamant there is more to come and goes as far as to suggest Phelan would become a knockout machine against smaller opposition.

Phelan bullied and battered welterweight  Schadko into submission in the Ukranian born German fighter’s own gym on Saturday.

Come down in weight and such victories would become the norm, indeed there isn’t a fighter out there that would last against ‘brick fist’ claims the Sligo man.

“She can develop a lot more, she could come down a weight, she might even come down two weights,” Gunning said after the fight.

“Her punching power and her strength, if she comes down weights, I don’t think there’s anybody in the world that could last the distance with her. “

“She’s got devastating heavy hands, brick fists that could end contests at elite level,” he adds before outlying a possible plan of action.

“We’ll be looking to take a little break and then move down in weight and maybe challenge for similar level titles and then push on for a world title with a big promoter.”

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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