By Terence Dooley
Aaron Michael Junior has every reason to feel happy after making a successful pro début on a VIP Promotions bill at the Manchester Velodrome on Saturday night; the 25-year-old scored a second stanza stoppage over Dragomir Totev under the watchful eye of cornerman, and former fighter, Thomas McDonagh and co-trainer Pat Barrett, who unsuccessfully challenged Manning Galloway for the WBO welterweight title in 1992.
Michael (166lb) boxed calmly during a controlled first round, he did, however, lose concentration slightly prior to the bell, taking a jab to the face as a consequence of this lapse. Totev (160lb) tried to build on this early in round two only walk onto a left hook to the head. Buoyed by this success, Michael doubled up on the left, hooking to the head and body of the Bulgarian.
Blood was pouring from the visitor's nose by this point, Aaron ignored this easy target, electing to step around the visitor to sink home a solid left hook to the solar plexus. Totev, now 0-3, doubled over but managed to stay on his feet, his subsequent retreat prompted a furious onslaught from Aaron – a left hook to the head forcing referee John Latham to stop the scheduled four-threes at 2:42 of the second.
“Things can't get any better. I will be on the J2O tonight so I can get back into the gym first thing on Monday morning,” enthused the Middleton-based boxer.
“I felt like a shark in water when I saw his nose bleed. I hit him with a body shot. I felt him crunch up to protect himself, he didn't throw back so I knew that he was hurt. That left his head open. I know that a big part of boxing technique is to go the head to raise the arms then go to the body or the other way around.
“A lot of people put body shots in around the side to get to the ribs but fighters know that if they keep their elbows tight they can block those shots. I've been working with Pat and Tommy on tapping with a little left uppercut, side stepping and hitting them through the centre rather than the side.”
Aaron learned his trade under Kenny Webber at the Olympic Gym in Ashton, he then worked with Joe Pennington before taking a time out to finish his college courses, hooking up with McDonagh and Barrett is a dream come true for the fledgling pro. Pat won the British and EBU light-welterweight titles during his career. The 'Black Flash' believes that their new charge has the tools required to reach the top.
“That was brilliant,” smiled Pat. “There's a bit of inexperience, a bit to work on but this guy's got a big future in boxing. There was a lot of good movement and this kid could go to super-middle or middle. You won't beat this guy at middle, he'll kill that division if we decide he will campaign at 160.
“He didn't panic tonight, he listened, he learned and that is a good thing. If a fighter listens then he's got a great future. It is when you get guys that won't listen that you have concerns. This kid showed fantastic body shots, you don't see shots like them in many pro debuts.
“I now want him on his jab and on his movement, you saw a bit of it today but when he's on it he's like Rhys [Roberts]. Very similar style. A middleweight who will box like a super-bantamweight with all the fitness in the world, he's going to be great. I love fighters like this. Give us ten fighters like this and we'll be very happy.”
Barrett watched Thomas 'Storm Boy' McDonagh come through the ranks, he feels that they will form a formidable partnership in coming years.
“Working with Tommy is great. I've been in his corner as a fighter, saw him come through and to work with him now in the gym is brilliant. We're forming a great team, me Tommy and the lads, we're going to bring great young lads through,” enthused Barrett.
McDonagh hung up his gloves last year after a frustrating final few years in the sport. Thomas purchased his old Collyhurst gym and decided to take up the training mitts in order to ensure that Brian Hughes has a long-term successor moving forward. Hughes brought McDonagh and Barrett through the ranks, he is a massive influence on both men.
“Brian is a fantastic trainer, he can't go on forever and knows that himself but he is leaving the club in good hands one day, me and Pat will carry on his good work,” revealed McDonagh.
“Me and Pat are going bring some amateur kids through, we've turned Aaron over, and have a little team going. Pat knows what he's doing, so do I and we've both been through it.”
A practical joker as a fighter, Thomas was surprisingly serious when analysing Michael's maiden fight. “I thought he was good. There was some excellent things in there, stuff we'd worked on the gym such as his defence and attack and when to mix them up,” says McDonagh.
“All in all, he boxed well and we've got a good platform to work on in the gym. I'm really proud of him because he's a confident kid in his own daily life but has brought that confidence to the ring. Next time you see him he'll be ten times better. We'll work hard in the gym. You watch where he is three or four fights down the line.
“Aaron is a cool customer. I'm chuffed with the maturity he showed. He had a look and then knew to make his own mind up and try to take the kid out. He did neglect the jab a tiny bit but his body shots worked.”
McDonagh was a laid back fighter, often cracking jokes in the corner. Thomas, though, is different as a trainer. He said, “I was really nervous, more nervous than for my fights. I used to just worry about myself when I boxed but now have to worry about Aaron and his future. On the pads, in the gym, I'm not messing and joking with this lad because he doesn't need that, he takes it seriously and so do I.”
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