‘Chopper’ Cahill builds on debut success
BRAY teenager James Cahill is keen to continue making a name for himself when he returns to the ring for his second fight next month.
Following an impressive debut win in September, the 19 year old will feature on the ‘Celtic Clash 4’ bill at the National Stadium on Saturday, December 2. The show is headlined by former top amateur and RTÉ pundit Eric Donovan who defends his BUI Celtic featherweight title against Juancho Gonzalez, while there is also Dublin grudge match between former Bray Wanderers footballer Jay Byrne and Crank Whitehouse for the BUI Celtic welterweight belt.
While he won’t be one of the main events, there will be plenty looking out for Cahill, who has already marked himself as one to watch after just a single fight. Back in September Cahill knocked down and won every round against Poland’s Tomasz Goluch in what was one of the performances of the night on the ‘Celtic Clash 3’ card. The Wicklow youngster had been talked up by those around them ahead of the fight, and fully delivered on the night with an aggressive and eye-catching performance - although Cahill feels he has plenty more to give.
Looking back, Cahill reflects how “it felt good. It was deadly to get out, probably rushed it a small bit, few minor things I could have done better but I’m happy enough, got the win and it was a good show. Just eager, sometimes it would have been better to stand back, I was smothering my shots.
“Just small things, stupid things that I usually wouldn’t do, that in sparring wouldn’t happen. He was awkward and I felt I made mistakes, but I’ll learn from them and now is the time to make them. I got the rounds in and they say they stand to you, I dropped him, I got the win and, apart from some small things, I was happy with my performance. It was a good performance, but I think there’s a lot of things still in the tank, definitely.”
Cahill is trained by Mark Buckley at St Teresa’s Boxing Club in Bray alongside flyweight Regan Buckley, Mark’s son, who also features on Celtic Clash 4.
The Garden County man will continue to build on the bill, and will take on Poland’s Patryk Jackowiak in another four rounder.
Cahill is targeting another attention-grabbing win and confesses that “I’m definitely looking for a knockout but whatever way is okay as long as I win. Hopefully a stoppage, but there are no expectations, I just get in there and go toe-to-toe.”
While he is one of the youngest active pros in the country, Cahill does not want to be mollycoddled. Indeed ‘Chopper’ wants to be involved in big fights with domestic rivals as early as possible.
“The heavy hitting welter brims with confidence and outlines how “I wouldn’t be big headed, but I don’t think there’s much in Ireland. I think for next year, no one’s going to stay in with me. When I can train the way I want to, I don’t think no one can even touch me next year.”
“I am always confident. I’d be that way in and out of the ring even against the biggest names, that’s just how I am.
“Hopefully I am kept busy now and there are a few good names that will fight me sooner rather than later. I am not here for an easy ride. I want good fights.”
Celtic Clash 4 also features Bernard Roe, Graham O’Shea McCormack, Vladimir Belujsky, John Joyce, Stephen McAfee, Martin Quinn, Dylan McDonagh, Thomas Finnegan, and Niall O’Connor.
Tickets for the card cost €15 (under 15s: must be bought alongside adult ticket), €30, €40, €60, and €100, and can be purchased from James at 083 810 7064 or via Ticketmaster.ie or Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.