The wait is over - it’s Niall’s time to shine

Niall Farrell with Scott Murray….the vest is off for amateur star

THE wait is almost over. The questions will soon be answered.

Tomorrow (Thursday) one of Birmingham’s greatest amateurs, Niall Farrell, makes his professional debut.

The former Team GB star will face hardman Simas Volosinas, a veteran of close to 120 fights, an Eastern European I’ve watched perform many times. He possesses near super human durability: crack Volosinas with a crowbar and he’d probably respond with a wry smile.

Farrell, blessed with an army of fans, makes his paid bow on the opening night of promoter Scott Murray’s glitzy, black tie sporting club, The Excelsior.

The show, at Cannock’s Premier Suite, will also feature former world light-middleweight champ Sam Eggington.

All eyes, surely, will be on 25-year-old Farrell who faced the very best in the world as an amateur.

Back then, he performed as a feather and, looking at the fighter’s long frame, I’m not sure how he made nine stone. It cannot have been comfortable.

Now Niall is a lightweight and warned: “I’ve never looked healthier, I’ve never felt healthier.”

It is the beginning of a long journey, yet Farrell speaks with the confidence – and PR skills – of a seasoned pro. He is a dream to interview: Team GB have evidently taught him well in the art of dealing with the media.

He enters the ring with more pressure on his shoulders than most debutants. He proved himself a world class amateur, now the boxing public want to know if he has the makings of a world class pro.

They are looking for a statement.

“I enjoy the pressure,” he told me. “I’ve boxed the best in the world, I’ve flown around the world fighting. I’m really excited to take that (experience) into the pro game. I’m looking forward to showing what we’ve been working on in the gym.

“People will be there to see what I can do.”

Farrell, trained by dad Paddy, is at the start of something potentially very big – not just for himself, but also for the Excelsior Sporting Club.

“I’m on a great event which I believe is really going to take off,” he said. “It’s bringing back the prestige. It’s bringing back the smart side of boxing, dressing up and looking the part.”

The Farrells have evidently not seen the state of my tuxedo.

Niall pledged: “My debut will be one not to be forgotten, something that will stay with me forever. Me and dad have spoken about the opponent. It’s another opponent, another fighter with two arms and legs. I believe in my ability.

“I’m in the game to be a seasoned professional, to have a 30 or 40 fight career. It’s one fight at a time, progressing and enjoying the game. This is the start and I’m not looking to be fast tracked. I have a great team, we’re not looking to step over anyone, we’ll go all the way through.”

From all accounts, Farrell has looked ominously sharp and strong in the gym.

“I’ve never felt so strong and healthy,” he said. “I’ve had a great camp, I’m eating healthy. I’ve never felt so good, it’s the best I’ve felt. I look healthier – people have said that and that’s a compliment. I can’t wait to show the difference.”

Of the large number of people clambering to get a seat for Farrell’s first fight, he added: “Some people want to take a look because they support me and there are always some who want to take a look because they want to see me fail.

“I really don’t care as long as they’re looking.”