Whelan tastes tough side of the pro game

Ryan Whelan…had to settle for a draw at the Holiday Inn

RYAN Whelan, a member of the famed Holt family fighting dynasty, is a man of commendable honesty.

He has emerged from Saturday’s draw with Zane Clark – his first blip in four outings – disappointed, but refusing to reel off a script of excuses.

There was certainly no “I thought I nicked it” excuses from the tall Birmingham super-middle.

“It was fair,” said the 26-year-old who is a thoroughly likeable individual.

The 38-38 scoreline after four rounds added to a three bout bill at Birmingham Airport’s Holiday Inn that manager Jon Pegg will want to forget. His light-welter Leo Fanthome suffered surprise stoppage defeat on the show.

Whelan, a product of the Holt’s Nechells ABC gym, will be a better boxer for the very competitive rounds Clark gave him.

Sheffield’s Zane came into the contest with only one win in eight – and that victory was registered on his debut. But he certainly brought ambition and desire, catching Ryan with big overhand rights.

“It was a fight of two halves,” said Ryan, who works in the security industry. “I boxed to my assets in the first two rounds then got drawn into a fight and took punches I didn’t need to take.

“He was an aggressive fighter and threw big rights, but at no point did I think I was going to take a count.

“The first two rounds I was in control. The third was close, but I got caught by a couple of big shots that must’ve looked good. The fourth, I kept it close when I should’ve kept it long.”

Ryan is taking the positives from the performance.

“I think it was valuable experience,” he told me. “It made me realise I have to box to my strengths. I got drawn into a fight I didn’t need to get drawn into.

“It’s good to get a fight like that so early in your career because it opens your eyes to the pro game. I know I have to use more head movement.

“One hundred per cent, I’ll be better for it.”

On the plus side, Ryan is still unbeaten and his ambition has not been dented.

“I’m taking it as it comes, but I want to win titles,” he told me. As a minimum, I want to be a Midlands champion because both (uncle) Mark and (cousin) Paul won those titles.

“I’m out again in September, but if something comes along before that I’ll take it.”