Ryan an instant hit on debut

LURGAN'S Ryan Green was an instant hit as he began his professional career on a Belfast bill on Saturday night.

The all action fighter thrilled the fans with his display which was easily selected as the ‘Fight of the Night.’

The light middleweight made his pro debut in the penultimate bout before the main event of Wilton-Mustafov and the packed house were treated to an explosive all-action duel.

Green, who won Ulster Senior and Intermediate titles as an amateur, faced a tough challenger in Lincolnshire man Ryan Clarke.

Green entered to a roar of applause from his many fans and from the sytart there was no mistaking his intentions as he attacked his opponent. Within the first minute Green had forced Clark onto the ropes.

A left hand from Green sent Clark through the ropes but he managed to get up although the round clearly went to Green.

It was toe-to-toe stuff which delighted the enthusiastic crowd and at the end of the fight referee Paul McCullough raised Green’s arm.

Both fighters left the ring to rapturous applause and a standing ovation from the full house.

Green’s trainer is former professional Damien Denny who won four Irish titles and he is assisted with his strength and conditioning work by Shane McConville and Gary McConville in The Millennium Gym in Lurgan.

Green said afterwards: “He started off on the back foot then he got caught with the left hand and went through the ropes. Then, I sort of lost my cool and went in to finish him, but he was still strong, his legs were still strong, I didn’t have the firepower to take him as I think he was too fresh. So I just decided to coast and try and win on points. I hit him with a couple of good shots and he took them very well.”

Trainer Damien Denny was delighted with Ryan’s perfomance. “He now knows what the pro game is all about against a durable opponent who did not quit,” he said.

Interest is such that there is a strong possibility the Lurgan fighter may be on the Paul McCluskey bill at the King’s Hall in June.

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