Paddy Gallagher has been announced as a reserve in a big WBC sanctioned tournament the Jose Sulaiman World Invitational.
Voted in as a second seed, he faces Francisco Santana, with the possibility of competing in the main tournament if any pull outs happen.
How much is Gallagher looking forward to the tournament?
“The tournament is class. It’s the kind of thing I miss from the amateur days. Trips away and the tournament layout so I’m buzzing to be in it.”
What about his opponent Santana?, Gallagher said, “I’ve seen a few clips of him and he seems real good. Yes well experienced and been in with some top fighters.”
Recently the boxing world was rocked by the sad death of Scott Westgarth. Gallagher has been involved in a fight that had his opponent end up in a coma. Thankfully his opponent Gary Murray is on the road to recovery.
“With the Murray fight I knew he was hurt bad. It was a heavy fight with lots of shots thrown. He took a good few heavy shots that finished the fight and when I seen him on the stool he wasn’t looking well and yes thankfully he is well and good now I’ve been keeping in touch with him.”
Is their anything boxing can do to try and prevent such incidents?
Gallagher said, “It’s hard to say about more to be done as there is a lot of work to be put in. I think the boxers should have the option or if there is a doubt they should have a free MRI scan or something or the sort.”
Gallagher fought Miguel Aguilar in his last fight, his first since the Murray fight. How did it feel to be back in the ring?
” I got over the fight ok. It was hard and a bit freaky at the start but it’s the way it can go. Doesn’t mean it’ll happen again or anything.” explained Gallagher.
Having competed and won gold in the commonwealth games in 2010, Gallagher enjoyed the experience and with the squads heading down to Australia at the moment for this years games, he said, “Yes the lads from here left today for the gold coast. Would love to be going but as I said I have this so I’m happy. It was amazing over there. Everything about it. I was away with a couple of mates on the team, good place and obviously winning the gold was the best.”
The World Series of Boxing is a format for amateur fighters to prepare them for the pro format. It was in its infancy when Gallagher had a stint competing in it.
“The WSB is good. I thought it would become a lot bigger than it has but it’s a good platform for transferring to professional boxing.” Gallagher said.
MTK Global have been signing up a lot of Irish and UK talent, how has Gallagherenjoyed bring part of the company?
“MTK is an amazing management company. I have been treated real well and have got brilliant opportunities and haven’t even been with them a year.”
Gallagher is aiming for the top, looking for world titles!
He said, “I hope to go as far as I can. Do well with a couple of titles, world title being one of them of course and set a stable future for my family.”
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His 1st opponent in America: Brock Lesnar