McGlynn and Bear It – James McGivern aims to entertain
James McGivern [5(1)-0] assures a big ‘kick in the teeth’ won’t stop him from flashing a winning smile in the winner’s circle this weekend.
The 25-year-old St Georges BC graduate admits he is upset his proposed all-Irish clash with Tony McGlynn has fallen through and is devasted to have lost the chance to win the BUI Celtic title, a pretty strap he took a real fancy to since he turned over.
However, he won’t allow himself to dwell on the disappointment and has switched his focus to delivering for his fans in his first fight at the National Stadium since he beat George Bates to become National Elite Champion in February of 2019.
“It’s a kick in the teeth again, I was ready to rock and roll and put this to bed and lift my first belt. But unfortunately, I can’t make people get in the ring with me,” he told Irish-boxing.com in fight week.
“I’m just glad to still be on the card and getting out. I was looking to come to Dublin and fight Tony in his backyard in front of his fans that were doing all the talking online. But it’s a different fight now. I have to give my new opponent plaudits and respect for coming in and saving the day.”
McGivern, who has the kind of style and his ‘Natural’ ring moniker suggests he has, will now face journeyman opposition on the card topped by his manager Jason Quigley.
It means threading water on a date he was keen to kick on – but again he knows he can’t sulk and has to deliver for his loyal following.
The show must go on, and the Belfast fighter is determined it will be an entertaining showing.
“People have spent their hard-earned money on tickets for this show, in times where there is a cost of living crisis going and people don’t necessarily have money to spare. Every time we as fighters step in the ring we owe it to the people to put on a display and fully intend to do that.”
