Introducing: Michael Duggan
Patience is the first virtue Michael Duggan wants to show as a pro.
Some may argue otherwise, suggesting victory in last year’s All-Ireland Novices at 64kgs was the perfect platform for the youngster to build amateur success from – and with a bit more time he could have turned over with more amateur success and experience to his name.
However, Waterford’s latest pro addition wants to do his learning in the pro ranks and is excited by the prospect of hitting his prime with paid experience in the bag.
“My reason for going pro now would definitely be down to wanting to be in my prime as a professional and not as an amateur,” Duggan told Irish-Boxing.com before admitting there is a lure to the other end of the hurt game.
“It’s a lot more exciting and a different level which excites me and gives me that willingness to go pro at this age.”
While the 21-year-old didn’t want to hang around as an amateur Boxing Ireland’s latest addition to the stable knows there is a long road toward real professional success – but it’s a journey he wants to trek and one he wants to learn on.
The Déise lightweight outlined how “short term, it’s all about learning the trade, taking my time and getting the experience. I don’t want to rush anything this early as I have so many years to develop.”
“As for my long term goals, I definitely want belts and see myself at the top. I would like to get some TV fights and get myself out there as much as I can. But again for now it’s all about patience.”
Duggan will make the likes of Carl McDonald, Graham McCormack and Siobhan O’Leary managerial and training stablemates as he joins Team TNT where he will train under Eddie Hyalnd, the man voted Trainer of the Year by Irish-Boxing.com readers.
The fighter who caught Boxing Ireland boss Leonard Gunning’s eye at the Haringey Box Cup during the summer claims he is humbled and excited by the link-up and turning over.
“I’m really excited and feel so humbled to have the opportunity to be on this platform with the best boxers in the country,” he adds before predicting he will bring a slick style to a now packed pro ranks.
“People who would have seen me box would definitely say my footwork and speed are my best traits, you can expect a slick and fast counter punching performance from me.”
Duggan, who has only being boxing competitively for three years and has just 14 amateur fights to his name, looks set to debut in March on the proposed Celtic Clash 8 card where he will likely join a raft of other debutants as a new chapter of Irish boxing begins.
