McGoldrick hails fantastic support in winning British boxing crown

There was a good night for Newport and Ballyshannon on Friday night as boxer Sean McGoldrick reached a new pinnacle in his career by winning the British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles at the Vale Sports Arena in Cardiff.

McGoldrick, whose father, Liam, is a native of Ballyshannon, took on Scott Allan for the vacant titles and emerged a very convincing winner over 12 rounds. The judges had him well ahead (117-111) on two cards while a third judge had the fight level (114-114).

As the two boxers came to the centre of the ring at the conclusion there was no doubt among the crowd who was the winner, with McGoldrick attracting a huge following from down the road in his native Newport and from other areas including Donegal.

“The support was fantastic, unbelievable,” said McGoldrick, who paid particular thanks to family and friends who were there on Friday night.

The Sean McGoldrick team after his win in Cardiff on Friday night

“Thanks especially to those from Donegal who travelled including Peter O’Donnell and Conor Quigley.  There were six or seven from Donegal and my uncle Sean McGoldrick was there too,” said McGoldrick.

The Newport boxer was in unfamiliar territory for the contest. “That was my first time ever to do 12 rounds. The last time I did a 10-rounder would be four or five years ago.

“It was a big jump up and a big risk, but as they say, no risk, no reward.

“Training was really great. I couldn’t have asked for a better camp or better preparation. I felt in great condition; I felt in great form and all I had to do was to take care of business on the night and luckily it went to plan.”

Since turning professional after a stellar amateur career that included a Commonwealth gold medal, McGoldrick has been building to get a shot at a British title.

“Yeah, exactly. These titles are among the biggest in boxing, the next being the European and the Worlds. A British and Commonwealth title is amazing.

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“I’m the first man from Newport in 40 years to win a British title and the first ever to win the British and the Commonwealth title. It’s a massive thing for the city and for the clubs.

“I do a bit of volunteer work with the children in the schools, disadvantaged kids and stuff like that. I will be brilliant to bring the belts in now to show the kids and hopefully give them a boost in getting involved in boxing gyms and hopefully some of them will be future champions.”

The night was a special one for the new champion because of the following he has built up. Belts are like gold medals to boxers.

“It was brilliant for family and friends.  When I look back and see people so happy, it is an amazing feeling.

“It was one of those nights when I felt I wouldn’t be denied. I felt I had plenty more in the tank if I needed, but I stuck to instructions. I stuck to the plan. We thought the fight would be a lot harder, if we’re honest,” said McGoldrick, who added that his coach, Jamie Moore, was always happy and didn’t want me to push on any more.

“We just stuck to winning the rounds and chipping away and before we knew it was the 12th round. I felt great and I felt I had more left in the tank which bodes well for the future.

“Whatever comes next, I have that confidence now and 12 rounds is good.

“It is just a bit early yet to plan for the future. I will take a couple of weeks rest, I’ll just let my body recover. The fight wasn’t too difficult but the training camp and all the preparations. I’ll sit down with Jamie and my manager and see what the plans are.”

There were sacrifices too with Christmas coming right in the middle of the preparation camp.

“It was all part of it. I said afterwards that missing Christmas or missing anything wasn’t a problem. I actually enjoyed missing it because I had a greater reason for missing it. My attitude to Christmas was that I can have a nice big Christmas dinner and Christmas pudding on February 11th or February 12th. February 10th was my target and I didn’t take my eye off the ball for three months.  I didn’t slip on my training or slip on my diet. Everything  was 100% and that’s why I won the belt. It definitely wasn’t by accident.

“Most of my success has come from being disciplined and focussed and making sure I do everything right.”