Relishing the boxing return
PRO BOXER AARON GETHINS CANNOT WAIT TO GET BACK SPARRING
BOXING, like all sports, has been greatly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and boxers have to swap the ring to do individual training sessions at home.
In a sport where sparring pretty much means everything in terms of advancing and maintaining your technique, it’s not been easy for a number of local boxers but they are coming up with their own ways to keep sharp and ready for a return, whenever that may be.
Sligo currently has two professional boxers, Aaron Gethins and James Lynch who are both undefeated since turning pro more than 2 years ago.
Aaron (20) from Sligo town has won four from four in his young professional career so far, since making his debut in Castlebar at the end of 2018. His last fight saw him defeating Elcios Palacios from Nicaragua in Belfast’s Devinish Arena during the Celtic Clash 10, where three of his fights so far have taken place since the young boxer made the switch from amateur.
It certainly is an impressive career so far for the Sligo man and although the coronavirus crisis means sparring with fellow athletes is on hold, he is still keeping the extensive training up at home.
Aaron told The Sligo Champion: “At the moment, with all the Covid-19 restrictions, I’m training from my bedroom at home, I’ve a home gym set-up with all the equipment and that so I’m luck that I am keep up the training with my father, who is also my coach as well.”
He credits dad Glen as being a major influence in how he got interested in the sport from a young age.
“I was only about 9 years old and dad said I should go and try it out with Stephen (Reynolds) in Ballinacarrow.
“Dad didn’t really have that much boxing background before that but he was really interested in it and then went on to get all the coaching licenses and so forth.
“It’s absolutely great having my father there because he’s constantly there making me better and it’s great to have him in the corner when I’m fighting,” the 20-year-old added.
Aaron said the transition from the amateur scene was different with more rounds and more work and of course the fitness levels too. “There is loads of travelling involved too in boxing,” he said. “You’re up and down the road to Limerick, Cork, Dublin and Belfast, where most of the pro fights are,” he explained.
He was initially training with Stephen in Ballinacarrow before the club switched last year to St Joseph’s Hall. Having the experience of Stephen is a huge factor in his success, Aaron says.
“Stephen would be my main coach and to have him there with his expertise from his own boxing background is huge.”
He gets asked a lot who did he watch fighting on television growing up but he admits he was never that big into the tv element. “A lot of people ask me who is my favourite boxer and that but I suppose I was never really that much of a fan of watching it.
“It was when I took up the sport itself that I really found myself liking it. Boxing is a test game and I enjoy that. It’s a very tactical thing, there is a lot of thinking behind it. A lot of people might think boxing is about going into the ring and thumping the heads off each other, but there is so much more to it than that.”
Aaron’s manager, Tony Davitt is based in Dublin and the Sligo man says it’s great to get the chance to fight others up there too.
“It’s that bit different and you get to know a few of the pros, it’s a great learning experience for me.”
Since turning pro the 20-yearold has won four out of four bouts, the last being 3 months ago.
“It is hard to know when boxing will return. I was supposed to have a fight next month but we will have to wait and see. It’s great having Leonard Gunning, who is also from Sligo involved with the promotion and all of that.”
Aaron has fond memories of his pro debut in December 2018 in Castlebar where there was huge support from Sligo in the crowd, as has been the case since with all of his fights.
“It was such a memorable night, there was 300 tickets sold here in Sligo, l am very luck to have such great support and every fight that people are buying tickets for makes such a difference. Hearing them in the crowd, really pushes you forward on the night.”
In terms of when he can return to similar scenes, the young welterweight says it’s hard to call.
“They are saying maybe in 2 months boxing can resume but for myself I could see it being that bit longer of a transition.”
He praised his sponsors for their invaluable support, making it all possible from shorts, to training gear to equipment.
There were talks that Sligo was set to host its first pro fight in many years in 2020 but the crisis has stalled that for the time being. Aaron says it would be fantastic for the likes of himself and James to fight in their hometown.
“Hopefully when the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted things can get moving again. It could be the middle to the end of next year, we will have to wait and see.
“I know Leonard was looking at the Knocknarea Arena as the possible venue. It would be perfect to get a big fight and a big crowd. I can’t wait,” he added.