Brian Peters Boxing: Heavyweight Hanna Makes Pro Debut Friday

While local hero Paul McCloskey will be looking to be crowned European Light Welterweight Champion at the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Magherafelt on Friday night the undercard will feature a new heavyweight hopeful taking the first steps in his professional career.

At the age of 33, David “Hardway” Hanna is unlikely to be referred to as a young gun in the heavyweight division but the Lisburn native will make his pro debut believing that he still has plenty of time to fulfil his boxing ambitions.

Hanna’s boxing career was postponed by athletic ambitions of another kind but now the Harry Hawkins trained fighter says he’s ready to make his mark on the professional game.

“I started boxing when I was a kid at around 9 or 10,” revealed Hanna. “I started out around the same time as Brian Magee. He’s always been a great friend of mine and we joined the local boxing club at around the same time.

“I drifted from boxing a bit though eventually and concentrated on athletics instead. I was a decent javelin thrower and was the Great Britain and Northern Ireland number 1 at one point so I competed at quite a high level and held the Irish record.

“I finally got back in to boxing when I was living and studying in Scotland and I boxed for a club over there and won three Senior Scottish titles. My Granddad was from Scotland so I was eligible to represent the Scots and I fought for them at International level in EU Championships and Multi Nation events and I ended up as the number 2 Super Heavyweight in the UK just behind David Price.

“When I moved back home to Belfast I was still getting invited over to Scotland for International’s but I didn’t really have a coach over here so I was pretty much training myself and I got disillusioned with that after a while but I always fancied giving the pro game a go.

“I didn’t want to have any regrets when I’m 50 wondering about what could have been so Brian Magee recommended Harry Hawkins and the Holy Trinity gym to me because he trained there as well. There’s a great atmosphere in the gym and I’d known Harry for a long time and I’d seen the success he enjoyed with Brian and Bernard Dunne so I decided to go professional with him.”

While Hanna is under no illusions as to how tough the professional game is he believes he can make a major impact. “I think I can go all the way. I definitely have a British title in my sights, I wouldn’t be putting in all this work if I didn’t think I was at least capable of getting that far.

“I was there or there abouts in the amateurs without ever really being serious about my boxing career. I’ve been in the ring with guys who are now the top pro’s in the UK. I fought Derek Chisora in the amateurs and lost out on 2 points but most of the people there thought I was robbed.

“I sparred David Price a couple of times at the Great Britain training camps in Crystal Palace and I sparred Martin Rogan for almost a month before he beat Matt Skelton and I’ve never felt out of my depth with any of those guys.

“I know it will take me a while to adjust to the pro ranks but I’m willing to put in the work. Untill now I’ve pretty much been self taught so it’s been hard changing old habits but Harry has definitely made improvements and I feel I’m already throwing shots harder and faster after just six weeks of working with him.”

As for starting out his professional career in his 30’s “Hardway” Hanna subscribes to the old adage that age is just a number. “I’m 33 but I’m a young 33,” stressed Hanna. “I work as a personal trainer and I know that most people don’t mature in terms of strength and power until they reach 35 and that’s what heavyweight boxing is all about.

“In fact if you look at any sport that requires size and power you’ll see that the guys tend to be far older than average athletes. Look at the World strongest man competitions for example. Most of those guys are generally in their late 30’s and it’s the same with heavyweight boxers, most of them don’t seem to reach their peak until their well into their 30’s.

Hanna’s debut is part of an action packed undercard to the clash between Paul McCloskey and Daniel Rasilla for the European Light Welterweight title at the Meadowbank Sports Arena.

Belfast’ British Featherweight champion Martin Lindsay is also in action as he looks to stretch his perfect record to 15 straight wins. Fight fans will also get the opportunity to follow the progress of Barry McGuigan’s hot prospect, Carl Frampton. The 2009 Irish Senior Featherweight Champion turned pro in June and has already impressed in his two outings to date.

Liverpool’s “Dangerous” John Donnelly will also be in action as he builds towards a shot at the British bantamweight title while further local interest will come in the shape of Omagh’s popular light welterweight Damian Taggart.

The event will be live on Sky Sports and tickets priced £30, £60 and £90 are available from Ticketmaster, all usual outlets and the boxers on the bill. Contact Ticketmaster 0844 8472455 (0818 719300 from ROI), Box Office 01277 359900, Julie 07745698372, Emma 07703723074, Francie 07803282224 or Eurospar 02877741245.