Farrell to face tough Paling at Planet Ice
Logan Paling…tough customer
NIALL Farrell, Birmingham’s former outstanding amateur now making his name in the pro ranks, will face rugged Logan Paling at Solihull’s Planet Ice on September 9.
It’s a sensible fight for a 25-year-old taking part in his third pro outing. Birmingham’s Logan – a convert from Muay Thai – may have lost all nine bouts, but he’s as tough as old boot-leather and has only failed to hear the bell on one occasion.
That was in his last fight and a body shot took everything out of the 32-year-old.
Paling puts that performance down to cutting corners in training and was rightly read the riot act by non-nonsense trainer Shaun Cogan afterwards. “I told him to mend his ways,” former quality pro Cogan admitted.
Paling says he’s learnt his lesson. He has the tools to give lightweight Farrell, from a very famous fighting family, the perfect learning fight. He’ll keep on pressing for the entire four rounds.
But in Niall, a former long-term Team GB squad member, a man who fought the world’s best as an amateur, Paling faces someone who looks special.
Niall Farrell with dad Paddy…looks a special talent
Don’t take my word for it, buy a ticket and see for yourself. That’s if there are any left: Farrell enjoys mass support and, I understand, has flogged a phenomenal number of seats for the Solihull show. Stopping Paling would be a statement.
Paling knows the scale of the task ahead.
“It’s exciting,” he said. “I know he’s good and that makes me train harder, it stops me from becoming complacent. I know his amateur background and watched his debut. I know what he brings to the table and that pushes me to try harder.
“I know he’ll have big support, but that doesn’t bother me. I’ve been a road warrior from the start.
“I’m coming for a fight, not just a payday. I know he’s a better boxer than me, I know I’m in a fight. Last time, I got caught by a body shot and I’ve never been down before. I didn’t put the work in that I should’ve.
“It showed me if you don’t put it all into every part of your training – diet, fitness, strength – you are going to be in trouble.”
Logan added: “I’m a realist. I know I can’t outbox Niall, I need to be as sharp, fit and focused as I can.”
September’s a busy month for Farrell, trained by dad Paddy. He’s also booked to fight at Scott Murray’s Cannock-based Excelsior Club on September 28.
That’s the blueprint: stay busy and take traditional steps to the top…area title, English, British, European and then the world beckons.
Niall’s enjoying the journey.
In a previous interview, he said: “I’m loving the game. I have such a great team with me – dad and Jon Pegg who’s there to guide me. I feel I’m getting better and better.
“For me, the thing is (with the pros) I haven’t got to rush everything. I want to fight for world titles eventually and that’s 12 rounds. With the amateurs, you had to win the first round and I can be a slow starter.
“Now I can throw shots properly and I feel stronger than I ever have done. My shots feel like proper man shots.
“It’s rough stuff (in the pros), that’s what I like. I like the rough and tumble of it.”