Danny Duffy takes late mum's memory on way to pro debut win

With ‘Mum’ stitched into his shorts, Danny Duffy began his professional career with an emphatic points win.

Duffy, a graduate of the Raphoe Boxing Club, defeated Jake Pollard on Saturday evening at the SETU Arena in Waterford.

The 23-year-old bantamweight sent Pollard packing in one of the early bouts of a packed show.

Duffy has had quite the journey to hell and back in the last 20 months.

In April, 2023, his  mother, Christine McKane, her brother Dan McKane and their aunt Julia McSorley were killed in a road traffic accident near Aughnacloy, County Tyrone. 

Duffy, somehow, shook his head clear enough to win a National Elite title - Raphoe BC’s first in 30 years - just six months later.

In beating Oisin Worsencroft, Duffy completed a clean sweep of titles having won the Ulster Senior and Irish Senior titles before nabbing the Elite bantamweight crown.

The Strabane native’s shorts were a pointer to his pain as he began his latest voyage on a winning note.

Duffy, managed by world title challenger Jason Quigley of Sheer Sports and with Raphoe BC coaches Gary McCullagh and Gerard Keaveney in his corner, was firmly on top.

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When it came to the scorecard of referee Emile Tiedt, Duffy - who has followed club mate Cathal McLaughlin down the pro route - took all four rounds, leaving with a 40-36 decision to his name.

A swift ring return after Christmas will follow.