Niall makes it five straight pro wins
Niall with father Paddy…looking for titles
KINGSTANDING’S dazzling former amateur star Niall Farrell answered a late call to arms and used the unexpected opportunity to try new things against war-horse Michael Mooney.
The 26-year-old, changing stances throughout, gave a flawless exhibition of the sweet science – and when performed by Farrell it’s very sweet – to take every round, 40-36, at Cannock’s Excelsior Club last night.
Mooney, who received the invitation to fight at even shorter notice than the Birmingham prospect, should be applauded for trudging through the ceaseless storm of leather.
He is one of the game’s true characters, a ring eccentric. Mooney, who took part in his 110th contest, is billed out of Worcester, but, at times, appears to reside on another planet, possibly not in our solar system.
He grinned and joked after referee Peter McCormack’s decision was announced, then positively sauntered from the ring.
The 38-year-old is an immensely likeable individual.
He and Farrell helped save a St Andrew’s Night card, staged in collaboration with Glasgow’s St Andrew’s Sporting Club, that was intended to pit English fighters against Scottish opposition.
But Excelsior boss Scott Murray and matchmaker Jon Pegg were hit by one migraine inducing problem after another.
John Conteh with Sam Eggington at the show
The main event, a mouth-watering clash between huge Wolverhampton heavy Hosea Stewart and Scottish champ Nick Campbell, was scuppered by medical issues surrounding the 24 stone Black Country giant. Campbell, to his credit, still attended the event at Murray’s Premier Suite.
A potentially barn-stormer between Coventry super-fly Callum Singh and Glasgow’s Michael McCrone also went south through no fault of the East Midlander who still boxed on the bill.
And despite an exhaustive search, an opponent could not be found for Sam Eggington.
Yet Murray, to his credit, still staged a memorable, lavish, Scottish themed evening, with haggis, whisky tasting and a string of celebrities, including former world light-heavyweight champ John Conteh.
Pipers and drummers cranked-up the drama by parading to ringside.
Murray, facing hurdle after hurdle, pulled a rabbit out of the hat and staged a special dinner show. The showman would be forgiven for resting in a darkened room as I type this piece.
Farrell (10st 3lbs 5oz), having his fifth bout in a busy debut year as a pro, played his part inside the ring. Jabs, hard, fast and accurate, landed as if fired from an air-rifle.
Sweeping uppercuts pierced Mooney’s guard and Michael, tough as boot-leather, acknowledged a heavy left hook to the ribs in the third.
It was one way traffic, but Mooney (10st 9lbs) hung in there, absorbing a steady stream of jabs in the last.
There was plenty of respect between the pair at the end. Farrell told the audience: “If there were more people like him in the boxing world there’d be more people like me coming through.”
In the dressing room, Niall told me: “I was sparring six rounds yesterday (Wednesday) and after the fourth I was told I had a fight. That’s the way it should be – I just want to get out there and fight.
Dad and trainer Paddy said: “Couple more fights and we’ll be going for titles. Otherwise, what’s the point – Niall has a very good job?
“Nobody stops Mooney, you can’t look to do that, you have to outbox him and that’s what Niall did.”
A journalist has to be on his toes when interviewing Mooney. He’s mischievous and blends earnest statements with comments that are tongue-in-cheek. It’s sometimes difficult to decipher when the veteran is being frank and when he’s having fun at your expense.
During one bizarre moment in our interview, he said: “I keep on going because I look after my body. Long distance running – I’m running all the time, big runs. That’s why I keep going.
“And I moisturise.”
I laughed in anticipation Mooney would laugh with me, but his expression remained deadpan.
“I’ve always moisturised,” he explained. “My mother was always telling me about moisturising.”
After a near half-century covering the game, that’s a new one. Others speak about wonder diets and training strategies, Mooney, alone, has spoken about skin care products.
I’m still not sure if he was taking the mickey or attempting to gain sponsorship from Oil of Olay.
Of his opponent, he said: “He’s as sharp as a dagger – and a gentleman.
“I was going to have the rest of the year off because my mum died, but got the call and decided to keep ticking over.
“I’ll stop when I’m 40. I’ll keep going as long as I feel I can keep going.”
Mooney, one of the most experienced boxers on the circuit, described Farrell as dagger sharp. Next year Niall should really slash a path through the domestic division.