Promoter Bull pays tribute to Ireland’s travelling support

Ireland faces Joe Beeden in his maiden outing as a professional at Doncaster Dome on Saturday night and Bull admits the Scarborough featherweight has been a promoter’s dream so far.

Bull said: “I have to thank all the people who are travelling down from Scarborough to support Shaun.

“It goes without saying that in professional boxing, selling tickets is key, and I can see why Shaun is so popular having worked with him for a couple of months now.

“I’m really excited about working with Shaun and helping him achieve his potential.

“He’s definitely got title fights in him and that’s what we will be working towards.

“He’s been sparring some good fighters in Andy Townend and Jason Cunningham and has been holding his own, so I have a good feeling about him.

“He’s a bit of a promoter’s dream, a bit of a rough diamond who just needs little bit of polishing up.”

Bull expects Beeden to make life difficult for Ireland come Saturday night.

He added: “They’re called journeymen because they are up and down the country fighting prospects.

“They are tough guys who don’t get stopped, so it won’t be easy for Shaun.”

Ireland’s trainer George Rhodes Snr, who won’t be in the corner come Saturday as he is still awaiting his coaching course, can’t wait to see Ireland take to the ring for the first time as a professional.

Rhodes Snr said: “He’s in great shape and has been walking around at the weight for the last couple of weeks now.

“He’s been getting top quality sparring in and has been looking good in there.

“This kid he’s fighting will be tough as nails and will bang a bit, so Shaun will need to stick to his boxing.

“We can’t overlook him and we certainly haven’t done that, we will be ready.”