Mayo fighter Coyle to turn pro
Mayo welterweight Henry Coyle is set to turn professional with offers on the table from England, Australia and the USA.
The 23-year-old, who beat James Moore for the Irish senior title in December 2003, is to make his final appearance as an amateur in a tournament at his hometown Geesala boxing club this weekend.
After striking gold at the World Military Games in South Africa last July, Coyle's interest in turning pro hit a peak as he was invited to spend time with IBF and WBA light welterweight champion Ricky Hatton in Manchester, train with Las Vegas-based three-time world champion Mick McCallum and live and spar with unbeaten Derry prospect John Duddy in New York.
While there has been a lucrative offer from Melbourne for his services, Coyle could well be on his way to joining Duddy and his Irish Ropes stablemate Moore in the Big Apple.
Coyle said: "I've had an offer to fight at Madison Square Garden on March 16 and there’s a few more like that, but making the correct decision now will mean a lot later on.
"Pro boxing is a dirty, mean game. It’s all about management, it’s a ruthless game and the education I got from the trip to America was something that will stay with me forever.
“It’s a business and I’m determined to make a good living from it but I also firmly believe that I will be world champion. Boxing has been good to me but I’ve also been very good to boxing. I’ve sacrificed a lot for it and dedicated a lot of my life to it, but right now I’m exactly where I want to be,” he told the Western People.
