| High-flying Irish boxer prefers the
simple life  By
Trevor O’Sullivan
HE IS a boxer with the world at his feet but Irishman John O’Donnell
still shuns the high life and prefers to live in a caravan.
The welterweight who was born in Croydon into an Irish Traveller community
has always remained intensely proud of his roots.
He said: “Even if, sorry when, I win a world title and I am boxing
at Madison Square Garden I will always live in a caravan.
“I’m a simple boy who wants a simple lifestyle. I was brought
up in a house but I felt trapped there. I’d much prefer to live
quietly in a caravan on a Travellers’ site with my wife Bridget
and my son Cody. It is much more sociable and everyone looks after each
other.”
O’Donnell who is based in Shepherd’s Bush and has strong
Galway ancestry has been lauded by the boxing community for his dazzling
hand speed and perfect combinations.
Experienced boxing analyst Colin Hart picked him as the fighter to watch
out for in 2007. O’Donnell boxes for the love of the sport and doesn’t
want the lure of high finance to distract him from that.
He said: “Sure, the money would be great, but I’d give most
of it away, I don’t really need money. I’m ambitious to be
British, European and World champion and to see my name in lights at Madison
Square Garden, New York.”
Rising star O’Donnell has sparred with Amir Khan and is convinced
they will meet in the professional ranks one day.
He said: “Amir is a lovely lad but I will beat him every day of
the week. Not just now but in a year, two years and five years down the
line. I am faster and fitter and I can certainly take a punch better.
“As an overall package I’m the one you should bank on.”
The fighter’s distinguished amateur career was the thing that convinced
promoter Mick Hennessy to snap him up as a professional.
John won Junior Olympic gold, Junior Four Nations gold and was twice a
Junior ABA champion. Hennessy believes the future is extremely bright
for O’Donnell.
He said: “We have got some very interesting fights planned for
John. He is going to get a lot of international experience this year.
“Although he has only just turned 21 there is already big interest
from broadcasters in America and Canada. John is a fantastic prospect
and a phenomenal talent.” |
