Leahy: I want a busy first year in the ring

Nick Leahy…on next month’s show at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport

NICK Leahy, the fighter whose army of fans near raised the roof of Telford International Centre during his debut, looks for win number two next month.

The 26-year-old is slated to appear on Eastside gym’s show at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, on May 18.

But there’s also rumours Leahy could feature on a major May show during the same period.

Leahy seems in demand – and that’s understandable. The welter, who fights out of Derek Fitzpatrick’s Leamington gym, is a ticket-seller.

Despite a late call to box on last month’s Telford International Centre show, promoted by Wasserman and televised by Channel5, he still sold over 100 tickets.

With more notice, more supporters will travel from Nick’s hometown of Evesham to watch him.

He boxed well on his debut, his first competitive ring action for two years following a serious knee injury. Leahy was too busy and too sharp for Jake Osgood who dropped a landslide points decision.

“I want to stay active,” said Leahy, “I’d like to fight four times this year. At this stage, staying active is the key – staying in the gym and getting out as much as possible.”

Not many get to make their debut on a big, televised bill. Leahy certainly didn’t fluff the opportunity.

“I stuck to a game plan,” he said. “There was more volume of shots, rather than power shots. Really, it was about getting back in the swing.

“The feedback from Jake (Osgood) was the power was good. Surprisingly, I wasn’t that nervous, I took it in my stride.

“People were saying, ‘it’s your debut, enjoy it’ and I took that on board. I want to build on that, it was a nice start.”

Leahy and Fitzpatrick are toying with the idea of dropping down a weight division.

“As I go up the levels, I’d be looking at super-lightweight (10st),” Leahy added. “We’ll try it and see how it goes.”