Paul Ryan Wants Matchroom Star Next If He Beats Paddy Gallagher At Croke Park

Paul Ryan wants to be matched with a Matchroom star if he manages to make it game, set and match against Paddy Gallagher this weekend.

The Dublin fighter fights the Belfast battler on the historic Katie Taylor farewell card on Saturday night and has more than victory in his sights.

The Irish middleweight champion wants to use the platform to force his way into bigger fights and ultimately impress Eddie Hearn to the extent he wins a profesional contract or, at the very least, get a shot at one of Matchroom’s named middles.

“I said to Eddie Hearn, after this fight, I want to come back, I want to beat one of his guys, and I want to get a contract off him then,” Ryan told Irish-Boxing.com.

It is an ambitious target, but one that fits with the mindset Ryan has adopted since joining JB Promotions.

The Blanch native has made it clear that he is no longer interested in taking easy options and wants his career to move exclusively towards meaningful fights and titles.

“Big fights only and titles only, that’s all we want now,” he said.

“The WBA European, that’s what we’ve been loud about. So please God in the new year, maybe March time, we’ll look at that.”

But before any title ambitions can become reality, Ryan knows he has a major obstacle standing in front of him at Croke Park.

‘The Pat Man’, a BUI and BBBofC Celtic title winner, represents an experienced game veteran.

In fact, Ryan was a fan well before he agreed to become foe.

“I don’t think he has got what he should have got out of pro boxing,” the 26-year-old adds.

“He’s better than what his record suggests. I think he could have done an awful lot more. I’ve always actually enjoyed Paddy’s style. I’ve always watched him. And I would like Paddy as a person as well.”

The Jay Byrne mentored fighter aslo expects the very best version of the Commonwealth Games medal winner to turn up at Croke Park, particularly given the significance of the occasion.

“I’m expecting the best Paddy Gallagher that there is. He’s a good, crafty, real pro. He’s a real gritty, hard-working pro.”

The Dub also believes Gallagher’s motivation could make him even more dangerous, with the Belfast native coming out of retirement to try and secure a happy ending to his boxing career.

“He’s coming back now with maybe a little bit of a chip on his shoulder, feeling like he has something to prove in boxing.

“So, I need to take him very serious because I know he’s taking this whole training camp and this fight very serious. He is a world class fighter.

“In his day, he’s beaten Callum Smith in the Commonwealth. He should have beaten Chris Jenkins. He has some really, really good wins.

“I’d be a fool to overlook him, especially on such a big platform.”