Perfect learning fight for apprentice Ryan
Ryan Whelan…taking one fight at a time
RYAN Whelan, latest professional addition to the fighting Holt family, bedrock of the respected Nechells club, is a fighter with both feet firmly on the ground.
No outlandish boasts, no grand predictions. Ryan, a genuinely nice individual, silently works on his craft.
On Tommy Owens’ Saturday show at Edgbaston’s H Suite, the light-heavy notched up his second pro win. “Baltic Bomber” Genadij Krajevski – a Lithuanian with 60 bouts under his belt – provided the perfect learning contest for a Birmingham boxer still wearing L Plates.
Ryan took the decision 39-37.
“It was a good, valuable experience,” Whelan, who has a day job in security, told me. “My jab was my best weapon against a seasoned pro. Importantly, I showed progression from my debut (a points win over Manchester journeyman Darryl Sharp).
“It was very different from my first fight. Darryl Sharp was a bit negative and boxed on the back foot. Genadij mixed it up, he’d come forward which created openings.
“It was the perfect fight for an apprentice, which, at this stage, is what I am. I’m in no rush, at 26 I’m still fairly young. The important thing is to learn and on Saturday I could see the progression.”
Whelan is not a man to claim British titles await. “I’d like a Midlands title because my uncle Mark and cousin Paul got one. I have loyal supporters, but I’m not a massive ticketseller, which is something I have to change. I’m not a massive, one punch hitter, but the power’s there.
“I prefer the pros to the amateurs because it’s more a thinking game. It’s not about trying to throw 10 punches in the space of five seconds.”
Whelan is managed by Jon Pegg and his training regime has been split between the team at Eastside gym and his uncle Mark Holt, stalwart of Nechells ABC.
He certainly has an impeccable punching pedigree. Uncle Mark was a fine pro, cousin Paul Holt was also a talented professional who captured a Midlands title, great uncle Ernie was the driving force behind the Nechells gym.
Ryan said: “I had over 50 fights for Nechells. I didn’t achieve that much, ended up with an even record, but I boxed very regularly.
“When Covid hit, I was sitting, waiting for fights and thought it was the best time (to turn pro). In later years, I didn’t want to regret not doing it.”