Ruadhan Farrell has already packed an enormous amount into just 11 professional contests.
The Belfast super-bantamweight, who boasts a record of 8-2-1 (2 KOs), has built his reputation on willingness to fight anybody, anywhere, and on producing the kind of contests that keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Now, on September 26, Farrell gets the opportunity to write another chapter in his story when he returns to the National Stadium in Dublin to challenge unbeaten Offaly man Paul Loonam for the vacant Irish super-bantamweight title.
For Farrell, it is a chance not only to reclaim the championship he lost to Matthew Boreland, but to become the first two-time Irish super-bantamweight champion from Belfast.
And if his career so far is anything to go by, another memorable night could be in store.
From Newington ABC to the professional ranks
Farrell’s journey began at Newington ABC in Belfast when he was just eight or nine years old.
There was no grand plan at the beginning. It started with a simple request to his mother.
“I asked my mum and she brought me and we never looked back,” Farrell recalls.
The decision proved to be life-changing.
“It’s been an amazing journey. If it wasn’t for my mummy I wouldn’t be boxing.”
From those early days in the amateur ranks, Farrell developed into a fighter who clearly thrives on competition. His professional career began at featherweight, where he quickly found himself involved in meaningful fights rather than taking the easy route.
That mentality has followed him throughout his career.
“I just want to be involved in big fights,” Farrell says when asked why his first 11 professional outings have already produced so many memorable encounters.
That attitude has certainly been reflected in the ring.
The Kerr wars changed everything
Farrell’s move down to super-bantamweight proved to be a pivotal moment in his career.
After suffering defeat to Colm Murphy in a contest for the vacant Celtic title at featherweight, Farrell dropped down in weight and embarked on a new chapter.
He would go on to capture the vacant Celtic super-bantamweight title, doing so in a hard-fought battle with Connor Kerr.
The rivalry with Kerr would produce two of the defining fights of Farrell’s career.
Their rematch carried even greater significance, with the vacant Irish super-bantamweight championship on the line.
Farrell emerged victorious and became Irish champion.
For the Belfast man, it was the culmination of years of sacrifice and dedication.
“I just knew that all the hard work and dedication would pay off and I would become champion,” he says.
“It was the best night in my boxing career by far.”
Farrell remains convinced that his championship-winning performance was not a one-off.
“I believe I am still the best in the country,” he insists.
“People can’t say, ‘Oh Ruddy Farrell is done’ after one bad night at the office. The best is yet to come.”
Windsor Park disappointment
Farrell’s reign as Irish champion was brought to an end by Matthew Boreland, with the pair meeting at Windsor Park on a huge Belfast card headlined by Lewis Crocker and Paddy Donovan.
It was a difficult night for Farrell, but one he believes can ultimately benefit him.
“All champions have a bad night at the office, but you can’t keep a good man down,” he says.
“We can’t win them all, but it was a great opportunity and the experience was unreal.”
The occasion itself demonstrated just how close Farrell had come to the bigger stage.
The Windsor Park appearance placed him in front of a major crowd and on a card featuring some of the biggest names in Irish boxing. Boreland has since been handed another major opportunity, with a place on the Croke Park card against Joe McGrail.
For Farrell, however, the focus is now firmly on reclaiming what he believes belongs to him.
Loonam stands between Farrell and redemption
Waiting for him at the National Stadium is unbeaten Paul Loonam.
The Offaly fighter represents a completely different challenge, but there is an unusual connection between the two men.
Farrell has already shared a ring with Loonam in sparring.
In fact, the pair spent considerable time together in the gym while Farrell was preparing for his fight with Boreland.
“I sparred Paul in the build-up to the Boreland fight and spent hours together in the gym helping each other,” Farrell explains.
That makes the September 26 contest an intriguing one.
There is clearly mutual respect between the two fighters, but once the bell rings, friendship will be put aside with the Irish title at stake.
“We’re two great lads chasing a dream, putting our lives on the line to become Irish champion,” Farrell says.
Farrell expects the clash to be one that fans will enjoy.
“It will be a fan-friendly fight,” he predicts.
And despite the respect between the pair, there is certainly no shortage of confidence.
“He is a great lad and we will both be 110% confident of becoming Irish super-bantamweight champion.”
A chance to make Irish boxing history
The significance of September 26 goes beyond simply winning back a belt.
Victory would make Farrell the first Belfast man to become a two-time Irish super-bantamweight champion.
For a fighter who grew up in North Belfast and first walked into Newington ABC as a young boy, the achievement would carry enormous personal significance.
“It would put the icing on the cake,” Farrell says.
“The first man from North Belfast to become a double champion. What a feeling it will be to hear ‘and new’.”
Then comes the line that perhaps sums up Farrell’s mentality better than anything else:
“It was so nice I had to do it twice.”
That is the challenge awaiting him.
On September 26, Farrell has the opportunity to turn the disappointment of Windsor Park into motivation, reclaim the Irish super-bantamweight title and etch his name into Irish boxing history.
A defeat to Boreland may have interrupted his journey, but Farrell is adamant that it has not stopped it.
The record stands at 8-2-1 (2). The titles have already come. The big fights have already arrived.
Now Ruadhan Farrell wants another belt — and another opportunity to prove that, as he puts it himself, the best is yet to come.
IRISH BOXING DIGEST 
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