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Weighty mistake can’t detract from Allan Phelan’s joy following historic win


Allan and Katelynn Phelan are on course to becoming Irish boxing’s next great sibling act.

The Kildare duo became the first brother and sister to fight side-by-side on an Irish boxing card last Saturday night.

It was historic occasion for the sport in Ireland, a massive event for the Phelan family, and the start of something special for both claims the older of the two, Allan.

‘The Young Wolf’ claims the reaction to the pair fighting on one of the TG4 broadcast was so impressive he foresees a double act the country can get behind developing.

“I think we are the first brother and sister on the same professional card and we got wins one after the other too. For Irish boxing it’s huge. Katelynn is only 18 and I am only 27 so there are huge nights out there for the two of us,” Phelan said after his victory at the National Stadium on Saturday.

“We are setting out to do something here at the minute and this is going to pull in more people. TG4 were all over the brother and sister thing. TG4 will bring bigger nights for Irish boxing, but us as a family too.”

“What they are doing is going to set Irish boxing up sky high. We can have bigger and better nights for myself and Katelynn.”

The Phelan family mantlepiece could have had a pro title on it this week as the Paschal Collins-trained fighter stopped Aiden Metcalfe live on national TV.

However, having failed to make weight on Friday morning he lost the chance to win the BUI Celtic title on the scales – but, after such an impressive performance on such a big platform, that error couldn’t detract from his joy.

“I fecked up myself,” he explained.

“I was half a pound over I had half an hour to get it off and I just couldn’t. My body was dried up. It’s something I miscalculated myself and it won’t happen again,” he promoised.

“It doesn’t really hurt me though. I have a belt inside to hold up my trousers! At the end of the day it’s only a belt. It’s night like these that matter. We could have been fighting on a small hall show, but it’s one of these nights.”

“It’s better to be live on TG4, great for Irish boxing and great for me getting the stoppage, being dominant, looking really good, getting a belt on a small hall show. This is what is going to push me on. If my performances doesn’t catch eyes the hat I wore will.”

phelan hat

While he was overweight and unable to claim the BUI Celtic title at super feather, there has already been talk of a further drop to featherweight to challenge new Irish champion and fellow Kildare fighter Eric Donovan.

Boxing Ireland have been open regarding their interest in making the all-lilywhite clash next – although an Irish super featherweight title fight with Stephen McAfee may make more sense.

Phelan, still basking in the joy of a career-best win, wouldn’t be drawn on what’s next.

“I am not saying anything. I am not calling anyone out. Anything can happen we will see. I am just here to fight and start making weight,” he added before revealing he envisioned going the distance in a fight he won via stoppage.

“There are few after putting bets on (a knockout win) and they would want to start throwing some money back this way,” he laughed.

“5/1 and I didn’t do myself. I actually planned to go the distance. Aiden is a tough opponent, but I tried to be relentless with my pressure and power and keep going and it paid off tonight.”

Kildare boxing is proudly supported by Liffey Crane Hire

Photo Credit: Ricardo 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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