Domestic title now the aim for Brett McGinty

After moving to 6-0 on Saturday night, Brett McGinty wants to start talking titles.

The St Johnston man scored a 59-55 points win after six rugged rounds with durable Italian journeyman Alessandro Ruggiero at the National Stadium.

McGinty's Irish debut, after five fights in England, drew a huge support, who made their presence and their voices heard.

He gave them the win they came for. His pro career has been stop-start for a variety of reasons, but now McGinty wants to step into bigger cauldrons.

“I would like to look at a domestic title,” he told Donegal Live.

“I moved up to six rounds for this, but my debut was a six-rounder so that's two of those in six fights.

Brett McGinty raises the roof with his latest pro win

St Johnston man Brett McGinty was backed by a huge crowd as he defeated Alessandro Ruggiero at the National Stadium

“A Celtic title would be eight and an Irish title ten. I want to start moving in that direction. I don't want to be hanging around now.”

Ruggiero certainly didn't have the cut of a man who arrived by the Liffey on Friday just to collect a pay cheque.

In the opening round, Ruggiero attempted to unsettle McGinty, but the eight-time Irish champion – despite an injured left hand in the final two rounds – settled and took an ultimately-comfortable decision.

He said: “I have always complained of fighting journeymen who aren't interested in fighting, but I got someone here who was bang up for a fight. That was good for me.”

Saturday's was the first professional show in Ireland in three years and McGinty would love to play a part in similar nights.

He said: “I hope this is the first of a series of shows. This country has been starved of pro boxing.

“Hopefully this isn't just a rare occasion. The lack of shows has been absolutely criminal, but hopefully this is the start of it and hopefully this is the start of busy activity for me now.