It is a dream debut for any professional athlete.
Making your first step in your chosen sport, cheered on by your family and friends in your hometown – and that is exactly what boxer Ryan Copland will do in Ipswich this weekend.
Middleweight Copland will step into the squared circle at the Ipswich Corn Exchange on Saturday as part of the first night of professional boxing in the town for almost 20 years, headlined by exciting heavyweight prospect Fabio Wardley.
For Copland, who will be punching for pay for the first time at the age of 33, being on such a historic show is a dream come true – not since the days of former world title challenger David Starie has Ipswich hosted a pro boxing show.
“It’s the best thing ever,” said Copland, who also runs his own driveway business. “I’ve watched the David Starie nights back and it was brilliant.
“I’m really excited – there’s going to be lots of support from Ipswich and the atmosphere will be amazing. I don’t know who I’m fighting yet, but I’ve trained so hard that I’m ready for anyone.”
Copland, who fights out of the burgeoning Suffolk Punch stable, turns pro having had 23 white collar fights, winning 18, losing two and drawing three.
“It was never the plan to go pro, but I had a few people approach me and I thought I’d go for it,” the former East Bergholt High School pupil explained.
“I’m more of a technical fighter, you won’t see any brawling from me – I’m more of a sweet science sort of fighter, hit and don’t get hit.”
Of course, with turning professional in his mid-30’s, Copland will have to make his way up the pugilistic ranks quickly if he is to make waves in the sport before father time becomes a factor.
But he’s not setting himself any goals before climbing through those ropes for the first time, other than having his hand raised in front of his own fans.
“I just want to get that first win,” he said. “And then I want to get a few more under my belt and see how far I can go – I don’t want to make any bold claims before I’ve even made my debut, but I will give it my all.”
For tickets to ‘The Homecoming’ show, visit www.shamrockboxing.co.uk.
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