‘I’M 100 PER CENT CONFIDENT’
points. But in the pros, every punch you’re throwing, you’re trying to hurt each other. It sounds odd, but that’s the way it’s meant to be.”
Kevin has enjoyed a very successful amateur career but insists that too many poor decisions and dubious adjudicating have marred the amateur ranks internationally.
He loves boxing, but he lost interest in fighting amateur while in London some years ago after a few bad decisions.
He made up his mind to turn pro. “I love my boxing and that’s the reason I didn’t quit. I just had enough of the amateur ranks. You’re seeing more boxers turning pro, and 90 per cent of it is because of the officiating at amateur level.”
Fast forward, and Kevin’s eyes are now fixed firmly on achieving European and world titles. He now plans to consolidate his record as a pro and build up experience so he can lay claim to his dream in the next few years.
A title shot in Kerry is another of Kevin’s goals.
One thing about Kevin’s attitude that shines through in our conversation is his confidence.
All the best boxers in history have managed to merge a hard work ethic with an air of self-confidence that courts cockiness at times.
But it’s more the realisation of one’s own self-belief that separates the good boxers from the half-hearted ones. Kevin is anything but half-hearted in his endeavours as he keeps his head, as well as his body, in tune.
“A pro fight in Kerry would be the one for sure. A sell-out crowd in your home county would be special. I had a big following as an amateur, and going into the pros means this is going to get bigger. I’m 100 per cent confident in what I am going to do,” he says.
“I’ve the work put in and I know what I can do. I’ve been in with the best in Ireland and they too know what I can do. If someone in the pros doesn’t know me then they shouldn’t underestimate me.”
Kevin was a top heavyweight during his amateur career, and he is dealing successfully with the drop down to light heavyweight thanks to multiple factors. Kevin boxed with the Cashen Vale Club as an amateur and he has some great memories of his time there. It was thanks to a chance meeting with Coach Patrick O’Brien – who Kevin still trains with – that he got involved with the sport.
PD Fitness in Tralee is another quiet corner where you’ll find Kevin sweating his way to his dream; instructor Peter O’Donoghue is well in tune with Kevin’s fitness needs.
He trains six days a week starting at 6am, using a combination of cardio and strength sessions. In the evening, it’s straight into boxing. Kevin works nights in his job, but it hasn’t stopped him from keeping up his training. Staying focused is very much his forte.
“My conditioning has come on leaps and bounds because of Peter. My power in sparing has also improved. Peter is on board with me since I came down to light heavy, and he has helped bring on my power.”
His pro head coach is Jonathan Lewins from Dublin. Jonathan is well used to bringing Irish champions on, and he will be hoping Kevin will show people what he can do in the pro ranks. Kevin is an intensely focused individual who hasn’t been deflected in his journey. Neither has he forgotten the people who helped guide him throughout his career.
“Patrick [O’Brien] is the one who made me who I am today. He knows what I can do and what I’m going to do. I owe everything to Patrick and I want him to come on the journey with me. My family and friends have also been great selling tickets and supporting me. I also appreciate my sponsors, as you’ve no idea the cost involved, so their support is vital.
“I now feel I have severe power coming down to light heavyweight, and I’m fully confident I’ll get a few stoppages in the first few fights.
“It’s about getting my name out there.
When you’ve put the work in, you have to be confident.
If you don’t have confidence, there is no point going into ring.” the