Niall faces hardman Simas in pro debut

Farrell with Scott Murray at press day for the Excelsior

BIRMINGHAM’S former outstanding amateur Niall Farrell will face tough, battle-hardened Simas Volosinas in his much anticipated pro debut next week.

Farrell, a former long-time member of Team GB, makes his bow on the launch night of boxing entrepreneur Scott Murray’s exclusive Excelsior Sporting Club.

The glitzy evening, which also features Sam Eggington and Nyall Berry, takes place at Scott’s popular Premier Suite, in Cannock, on Thursday, March 30.

As an amateur, Farrell – member of a famed Birmingham fight family – boxed at feather. He’ll compete as a lightweight in the pros.

Volosinas looks an ideal opponent for Niall’s first paid engagement, which will be over four rounds. The Lithuanian may have won only seven of 118, but he’s near impossible to stop. Simas is one very hard individual.

And he’s tested the very best. This month he pushed red-hot Leamington prospect Danny Quartermaine to a points decision.  

Niall’s pro baptism has stirred much excitement.

What the paid game gets is a 25-year-old boxer who has faced the very best in the world. A product of Kingstanding’s 2nd City gym, run by dad Paddy, he signed off from the amateurs with a record of 126 bouts and just 25 losses.

Niall said: “It’s full steam ahead. I’m healthier than ever, I’m stronger than ever. I can’t wait to put on those eight ounce gloves and put someone to sleep.

“It was the right time (to turn pro), the best time for me. I’m 25, I’ve been around the world, I’ve boxed the best in the world. From the age of 18, I’ve lived the dream, I’ve had some of the best years of my life.

“But I sat down with my dad and we agreed it was the right time. I’m ready for the next chapter. I did well as an amateur with the style you have to have – you can’t have a pro style and I believe a pro style will suit me so much more. I’m a box fighter.

“I want to do things the traditional way, start from the bottom and work my way up, first an area title, then English, then British…I want all the titles, I want to be a seasoned pro.

“I’ll box anyone, I always have done, always will. I’m really looking forward to the pro journey, but we’ll take it at our own pace, time’s on my side.

“It sounds mad. We’re in no rush, but I want everything now.”

Whatever titles the future brings, Niall is destined to be a phenomenal ticket-seller. As an amateur, he had a large, loyal fanbase.

“I’m very lucky,” he added. “I have a very good support system and I feel it will build.”

The Excelsior bill also features unbeaten, marauding and dangerous Chelmsley Wood feather Nyall Berry.

He looks set to face Georgia’s rugged Khvicha Gigolashvili over six. The visitor is well travelled and has faced real iron in an 80 fight career (19 wins, one draw).

A stoppage by Berry would be a statement: not many manage to budge Gigolashvili.