'It gave me a good buzz': Ryley Doherty hungry for more after boxing return

Ryley Doherty says the taste of a big stage on Saturday night has given him the itch to stick at boxing again.

Doherty ended a long period of inactivity to take his place as a late replacement on the Rumble In The Hills, Rising Star card at the Aura Leisure Complex in Letterkenny.

The Raphoe Boxing Club man fought Cormac Dillon from Eglinton in the first of three amateur exhibitions before the professional bouts.

“It was enjoyable,” Doherty told Donegal Live. “It was good to get out. It was good with the family and all there, everyone watching. 

“I would say the biggest stage I've ever fought on.”

With the crowd streaming in and the atmosphere bubbling, Doherty entered the stager and battled with Dillon over three two-minute rounds.

The 19-year-old from Newtowncunningham said: “It was my first time ever fighting without the headgear on. There was some difference. I felt every shot. I felt that I moved better without it. 

“I fought a lot better than I was going to. I thought the head guard was going to be a big change. But you can adapt it on the go so it wasn't too bad. 

“It was nerve wracking at the start. When you see all the lights and all the crowd and especially on the walk out, I was like ‘oh Jesus Christ!’

“It gave me a good buzz.”

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Doherty has been out of action for around 18 months, but has vowed to get back in the game again.

He said: “I thought I did well.

“It's been a long time since I was in the ring. It’s definitely good to get back in. I’ll 100% stick at it now again.”