Ben keen to live the dream
Editorial Department • Published 17 Feb 2012 09:30
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Boxer Ben Mulligan, who is turning professional, is put through his paces by Gary Parkinson, his amateur coach.<
It's not very often that a 25-year-old is considered a veteran, but with over 100 amateur fights under his belt to date, Ben Mulligan certainly know his way around the ring. The next time he steps onto the canvas will be a very different affair though, this time it will be as a pro boxer.
The man that has made that possible for Ben is world-renowned boxing promoter Tommy Gilmore. Tommy has promoted countless world championship fights over the past few decades, and with him on board, the future looks very bright for Mulligan.
Quite the opportunity then for the Fivemiletown lad, something that didn't look possible a year ago when a similar chance fell through for him, but this time around it's very much a reality, which Ben is thankful for.
"I had a chance of turning pro last year with an English company, but it fell through, so to get another opportunity like this is brilliant, I just aim to make the most of it."
"To have Tommy as my promoter is unreal. Anyone connected with boxing knows who he is and what he's about, I'm very lucky and hope I can repay his faith."
Ben will also be trained by the legendary Belfast trainer John Breen, who has trained world champions in the past, and with that experience alongside him, Mulligan is hopeful for the future.
"I mean when I heard John would be training me, I couldn't believe it. John needs no introduction in the boxing world, he's been there and has seen it all, so I'm looking forward to working with him and learning from him."
Mulligan will start off as a lightweight initially for his first few pro fights to see how he gets on, and is chomping at the bit to get his inaugural fight as a professional under way.
"It's likely that my first fight will be in April. I'm really looking forward to the the challenges ahead, and hopefully if everything goes to plan I'll have a few fights this year. I just hope to stay busy in terms of fights, and will just have to see what happens after that, It's all very exciting."
At the minute, Mulligan is training at home with Gary Parkinson, who has trained him from the very first time he put on a pair of gloves.
Since that first experience, Ben has gone on to represent Ulster at the National Championships and beyond in his bid to become an established name in the boxing scene.
"I've been very lucky to travel everywhere with Ulster, and I've learnt a lot from it. I hope to take those experiences into my pro career with John and Tommy, and hopefully I can do well."
"It's every young lad's dream to be a professional sportsman, and now I've got the chance to do that, It's all happened so fast but I won't let it pass me by."
Asked about how he got into boxing in the first place, he points towards his older brothers, Matthew and Niall.
"I saw how much my brothers enjoyed the boxing, and once I was old enough, I thought I'd give it a go, and I've been in love with it ever since. It's a massive part of my life, so to do something you love for a living is going to be a great experience."
Ben is under no illusions that the task ahead of him is going to be easy though, and the Fivemiletown man is fully focused on what's ahead.
"It's definitely going to be tough, that's for sure, but that's what the challenge is all about. I've got one of the best trainers in the business and a top promoter behind me, I couldn't ask for a better set up, so it's up to me to do the rest."
Whatever happens over the coming months, the future looks very bright for Ben Mulligan.
All that hard work in the gym and on the canvas over the years has finally paid off, and the young lad now has everything in place to be a huge success in the sport of boxing.
His promoter and trainer are known worldwide in the boxing circle, and who knows one day Mulligan himself could be a household name in the sport.
This article appeared in Impartial Reporter 17 Feb 12
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