Ben Mulligan has been training hard ahead of his fight
LOCAL professional boxer Ben Mulligan is to make his third foray into the ring on May 10.
The 27-year-old Fivemiletown fighter, who has previously been on the undercard for Carl Frampton will fight Derek Potter in the Devenish Complex in Belfast and is eager to get the first win of his professional career.
Following his two brothers Matthew and Niall, Ben started at Cooneen boxing club and then moved to Cavan, before finishing his decorated amateur career in Derrylin. Representing Ulster and Ireland at amateur level and with 100 fights under his belt the super featherweight turned pro in 2012 at the Odyssey Arena on the same billing as World Super-Bantamweight title contender Carl Frampton.
“It was on the Frampton billing against Steve Mollitor the Canadien. I was fighting an Eastern European (Mariusz Bak) and I lost a tight fight on points.”
He then fought his second fight in Glasgow on November 25, 2013 against an experienced home fighter.
“It was short notice and I boxed a boy Ryan McNicol, who had forty fights under his belt. I lost but I thought I won the fight if I’m honest, I thought I won every round, but I knew it would be difficult going in to Glasgow and getting a decision. This one in Belfast is going to be the same, I’m boxing a guy from Belfast in Belfast so it’s going to be tough.”
Ben’s next fight sees him come up against a boxer making his debut at professional level, but he is under illusions the task that awaits him.
“I know it’s going to be hard going into Belfast, but I got a good fight offer. I think this will be my last fight of the season and hopefully my last four rounder as next September I hope to step it up to eight rounds.
“I have been working hard; I train twice, three times a day and I’m up with Fergal McKenna in Monaghan doing sparring and strength and conditioning work. I’m in good shape. It’s just at this stage I’m getting fed up with making weight, I’m just mad to get in there.”
Ben is indebted to the support he has received from across the county for his previous bouts and is hoping they get behind him once again next Saturday.
“I have no bother selling tickets, I have always had big support in Derrylin, Fivemiletown, Enniskillen, all over. For the Frampton bill I sold £5,000 worth of tickets. The support really does mean a lot to me.”
If you wish to buy tickets for Ben’s fight contact him on 07547816186.