Two and a half years ago, Donagh Keary, then 18 and an amateur standout, was one of only two Irish winners on the Rathfriland boxing team that faced a US Metro Select side at John’s Gym in the Bronx. He put on a clinic against Juan Flores.
Now 20, Keary returns to the Big Apple on March 16 to make his professional debut on what's billed as ‘The Biggest Irish Boxing Card in New York City History.’
“It’s a dream come true,” said the super bantamweight who’ll meet an opponent to be named in a four-rounder.
The opportunity came about when Keary’s advisor, Bobby Lavery, pitched his talented charge to Tom Loeffler, president of 360 Promotions, the outfit behind the show.
“I reached out to Tom,” said Lavery. “After they checked up on Donagh, he got the shot. He’s a big prospect and they thought it could be worth taking him on.”
Keary had 150 wins and 20 losses as an amateur. His honors included Ulster Senior and Intermediate titles; Irish Under 22, and Irish Senior championships. He was also an Irish Elite finalist. And fought in European U-22, Cadet and European Elite tournaments.
Keary will become only the second Irish-born fighter after Michael Conlan to make their pro debut at the Mecca of boxing. Conlan, another former amateur star, did that on a St. Patrick’s Day card at the Garden on March 17, 2017. He stopped American Tim Ibarra in three rounds.
This year’s St. Patrick’s Day eve show is headlined by ‘King’ Callum Walsh [12-0, 10 KOs], who’ll defend his WBC super welterweight Continental Americas title against Scotsman ‘Deadly’ Dean Sutherland [19-1, 7 KOs] over 10 rounds.
Four other Irish fighters will be in action on the 360 Promotions event. They are: super middleweights Emmet Brennan and Kevin ‘The Kingdom Warrior’ Cronin; super featherweight ‘Fearless’ Feargal McCrory, and heavyweight Thomas ‘The Bomber’ Carty.
Asked if he felt any pressure making his bow as a prizefighter in the sport’s most famous arena, the confident Keary quickly replied: “no pressure!”
Tall for a super bantamweight at 5-feet-10, he’s been training since November under the tutelage of Belfastman Ryan Burnett, a two-time world champion at super bantamweight.
That has meant longer training sessions that he enjoys. “It’s longer and it suits me more, like I’ve always had a pro style [and] I’m enjoying the training with Ryan.”
Their preparations for the pro ranks have included sparring sessions with English featherweight prospect Tom Wellend.
FDNY FISTICUFFS
The St. Patrick’s Day eve Irish scraps at the Garden on March 16 will be preceded by the second annual International Battle of the Badges on March 14. It pits Bobby McGuire’s FDNY Bravest Boxing Club against fellow first responders from England, Ireland, Spain as well as different cities from across the United States. Fifteen bouts are scheduled.
Middleweight Eoin O’Neil and cruiserweight Dan Hoolahan are the Garda boxers involved in the event.
The match-ups are as follows [FDNY fighters first]:
Lightweight -- Maria Fogarty vs. Lisa Pearson [West Yorkshire Fire]; welterweight -- Tara Ionatti [Ladder 129] vs. Christina McCants [Atlanta SWAT]; John Marrero [EMT] vs. Brandon Collins [Dekalb County Police], and Nicole Malpeso [Eng. 158] vs. Alex Turbitt [UK Fire and Rescue].
Middleweight -- Sean Dillon [Eng. 283] vs. Eoin O’Neil [Irish Garda]; Oliver Patrouch [EMT] vs. Cole Cooke [West Yorkshire Fire].
Cruiserweight -- James Gennari [Ladder 24] vs. Dan Hoolahan [Irish Garda]; and Brandon Youshock [Yonkers Fire] vs. Gavin Connor [Denver FD].
In the super heavyweight division, Yonkers Firefighter Davey Scott tackles Houston compatriot Jeff Davis in a rematch.
“Proceeds from this year's event will once again benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation,” said Maguire. “We have donated over $200,000 to this charity in just the past two years.”
Tickets, pegged at $35, $50 and $100 for ringside, will be available soon from www.fdnyboxing.org.
