by Orlagh Mullan

Connor Coyle is aiming to make it six wins from six when he takes on Joshua Maxwell at the A La Carte Pavillion in Florida next Saturday.

The Derry boxer has made a name for himself since stepping up to the professional ranks last year, and with five wins and two knockouts he has done little to quell the excitement about where his career could go.

Now living in the States, Coyle is working under Hall of Fame coach Jim McLoughlin, and that experience seems to be paying dividends as he knocked out opponent Benjamin Jordan in his last bout.

For the 27-year-old it was a bit of unusual one, because it was supposed to be his first fight with extended rounds.

“My last fight was my first six rounder and it only lasted two rounds but I’m pleased I was able to get the knockout,” Coyle told the Derry News.

“There’s no point in carrying potentially dangerous opponents like that just because you want to build up round because one lapse in concentration and they could hit you where it hurts. I knew I could catch him and I took my chance as soon as it came.”

A year on he is now well settled in the professional ranks, and the boxer admitted that, while he will always miss his family back at home, he has found his new American lifestyle a lot easier in recent months.

“Starting off I didn’t really know what I was doing or what I was getting myself in for to be honest. Now I’m a lot more settled and I’m used to my surroundings and the training regime and I feel comfortable about moving up into the longer rounds,” he explained.

“Even when it comes to living here its become much more of a home away from home for me. I’ve gotten to know more people and its definitely easier when you do that.”

He continued: “Obviously I have the baby at home, and my family, and that’s something that you never get over but I’m working towards a long term goal and they are all supportive of that. When it comes to training as well, everyone in the gym knows and helps one another and that really helps progression.”

“You never really know what will happen when you make the decision to move hundreds of miles away to pursue a career like this but I’ve been overwhelmed not just with the support I’ve had here, but the support at home has been unreal. Before I would have been chasing people to sponsor me and now they are approaching me and asking. Promoters are trying to get me on certain bills and sign me on, and it all just feels like it is moving in the right direction.”

Both in and out of the ring Coyle has been working hard to try and build up a recognisable brand as a boxer to watch for the future, and he feels that his recent comfortable wins over Jordan and Daruma Almenarez have helped do that.

“I think in the last two fights in particular I’ve really made a name for myself and people have started to sit up and take notice. Ones have been calling my coach and other promoters have been getting in touch too. This fight next week now is already sold out,” said the local man.

“Even when I’m out running I can see people slowing down driving past because they recognise me. I’ve been in the Tampa Bay paper out here and things like that.”

Whispers of a title fight have followed Coyle practically from he recorded a knockout victory over Euris Silverio in his first professional outing, and while he says his fighter brain wants it more than anything, he knows he has to be tactical and methodical.

“A title fight is definitely on the horizon, and its something that we’ve been approached about already. I want to take this next fight and maybe another over here and we’ll see where we go from there. Ideally we’re looking at being 10-0 before we go for it. At the end of the day there’s no rush to jump into the big fights. We’re trying to build up to eight and ten rounders because right now the longest I have gone is four.”

“As a fighter I would take a title fight tomorrow, but that’s where your manager and coaches come in to help you settle down and try to think outside the box. I just want to fight, but that’s not how it works. You have to wait for the best time to do it because you can jump into a title fight too soon and lose that 0.”

During his latest camp, Coyle has been training with 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Yamaguchi Falcao, who is now 13-0 as a professional.

With his next opponent, Joshua Maxwell, a southpaw, Coyle believes sparring with someone of a similar style has given him the best training possible and now he feels ready to put the talk aside and get down to business.

“He’s had two knockouts from two fights so it’s obviously going to be a tough test,” admitted the 27-year-old.

“Apparently he’s a big puncher and his coach has been saying to mine that I won’t last two rounds with him so we’ll see about that. I took fighters for granted where I was an amateur and I’ve learned from those mistakes now. I just want to keep my head down and get another win.”

Connor would like to thank his sponsors for their continued support - Classique Floor Designs, Olympus Fitness, G&K Contracts, Paul's Butchers, Doire Dress Designs, The Metro Bar, The Bentley Bar, The Beauty Box, Strike, ThanksJosh Clothing, Three Bridge Cars, Fighting Fit.

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