Cathal McLaughlin scores impressive win on professional debut

Cathal McLaughlin impressed for a professional debut win in Belfast on Saturday night – and wants another bout in quick succession.

The 27-year-old Raphoe Boxing Club product overcame Martin Shaw on points at the SSE Arena.

McLaughlin took a 40-36 decision on the referee's card after a four-round middleweight contest on a Conlan Boxing card.

The durable Shaw stood for the 12 minutes with McLaughlin landing some eye-catching shots.

“I just want to get straight in as soon as possible,” McLaughlin said after dropping Shaw's record to 4-26-3.

“I'd love to be boxing here all the time. It was just an unbelievable experience. Just the feeling, the atmosphere; that will stand to be now knowing that I can handle that.”

Strabane native McLaughlin is managed by Donegal boxer and world middleweight challenger Jason Quigley.

Raphoe BC coaches Gary McCullagh and Gerard Keaveney cornered their club graduate as he stepped into the paid ranks.

McLaughlin fought Matty Boreland in an exciting exhibition on the Rumble In The Hills card in Letterkenny in November, giving him a firm taste of the professional stage.

McLaughlin won an Irish Senior (intermediate) title last year, but his pro debut win over Shaw tops the lot.

He said: “That's the best experience I've ever had in boxing. It was just class.

“It's just a different experience being a professional.

“Everyone was there to see me win and you always have those thoughs in your head in the dressing room: 'What if I don't win?' There were 200 people there to see me. I had to overcome those thoughts. The experience was unbelievable.”

McLaughlin is anxious to extend his record now.

He said: “I'll be ready anytime. I'd like to get back in as soon as possible. I want to be active.”