Paul Loonam’s Special Judgement Day Mission – ‘When I lift the Belt it Will be for Him’.
Paul Loonam will have an extra source of motivation when he challenges for the Irish title at the National Stadium on Saturday night.
The 25-year-old will headline JB Promotions’ Judgement Day card on September 26 and thus challenges for the strap on the birthday of his late father.
For the Offally native, winning the Irish title on such a significant date would make an already huge night even more special for him and his family.
“The 26th of September is my dad’s birthday. That makes it a little bit more special for the whole family,” said Loonam.
“My dad, he loved to do a lot of things, but he loved to see me boxing, to aid me and help me in any way, so everyone will be sitting there with pride and when I lift the Irish belt, it’ll be for him.”
The National Stadium also holds a special place in Loonam’s heart, with the Dublin venue having been a major part of his boxing journey since childhood
The South Circular Road venue hosted numerous Irish Championship wins, all of which came under the guidance of his coach and father.
“We’ve been there since I was 11, boxing in the Irish Championships; we’ve been there together,” Loonam explained.
“He refereed, judged many fights in there as well when I wasn’t boxing in them.
“It’s the home of boxing for everyone really in Ireland, but it’s definitely the home of boxing for me and him.”
Standing between the BUI Celtic champion and the Irish title is Ruadhan Farrell, a former Irish Champion.
The boxer, who has moved from Unit 3 to Dublin Docklands, expects ‘El Nino’ to provide a serious test over ten rounds.
“I’m expecting a huge challenge. He’s coming down, he’s got nothing to lose at the minute. He got a win last time in Spain, but before that he lost to Matty Boreland,” he said.
“He’s more fights than me as a pro. He’s fought at Windsor and stuff like that, but I’ve over 200 amateur fights as well, at the Europeans, in Russia, boxing in Poland, Ukraine… I’ve boxed all over Europe.
“In the pro ring, doing 10 rounds, he probably has more experience. In terms of the amateur pedigree and all, I think the experience balances out.
“I think it’s just whoever gets it right on Saturday night.”
