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‘I’m coming and they know I am coming’ – Senan Kelly targets ‘scalps’

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He doesn’t have to mention any names, Senan Kelly [1(1)-0] claims all Ireland’s light welterweights know he is coming.

The Leixlip puncher was one of a number of successful debutants over a packed weekend for Irish boxing and impressed while stopping Ilias Liokaftos [0-3(1)] on Celtic Clash 9.

Post the win. he seemed as focused as he had looked explosive, laying out a clear plan of action for the next 12 months.

He might be a bit optimistic in terms of time frame, but the former Crumlin BC amateur wants to get the scalping knife out and claim the BUI Celtic title within four fights.

The 23-year-old will then look to upgrade to an axe as he goes looking for heads.

“I want to get two more before the New Year, maybe one more in 2020 and then in my fourth fight I want to get a belt, hopefully get a Celtic title shot,” Kelly told Irish-boxing.com after his debut.

“I just want to start taking scalps basically. Get a few scalps on the record and then just start calling everyone out and taking heads. I am not go jumping the gun and calling people out yet, but I am coming and they know I am coming.”

It might sound arrogant and somewhat bold from the new Boxing Ireland man, but in truth it was just confidence enhanced by debut adrenaline.

The former Intermediate National Champion was buzzing after stopping his debut foe in front of a vocal Devenish crowd.

“I am delighted. The way it all happened, it was a dream debut. The boys jumping in the ring, getting a knockout in front of all your best mates. You can’t ask for more that that. The only way is up from here.”

While he plans to rise up the ranks Kelly did look like he does have the power to put people down. He hurt the Greek on a number of occasions in Belfast on Saturday before the towel eventually came in.

Kelly points out power has always come somewhat natural to him, but feels it has improved under the guidance for a strength and conditioning coach.

“Since I was in school I was always stronger than everyone. Then I started to take strength and conditioning very serious. My strength and conditioning coach Darren Young, he is just feeding me knowledge. You seen the effects of it in the ring. I can’t take credit for my power that’s him,” he adds before stressing he never goes looking to stop opponents.”

“I don’t try and take them out. If they get hurt I will probably hurt them again with the same shots. I don’t rush my work it just happens naturally. It was the same in the amateurs they just get hurt and go down,” he continues before discussing his first career stoppage.

“I dropped him, but he was a tough journeyman, he got back up and came forward. He didn’t look hurt that much at first, but the second right hook landed and I could see he was gone and the corner ended up throwing in the towel.”

Photo CreditRicardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

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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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