York Hall, East London, 2014. The lightweight Prizefighter title and £32,000 at stake. Win three fights on one night to claim glory. Step up young Jono Carroll.

“As a fighter this game is all about taking risks, even if you lose it’s a learning curve and it’s all about experience. I took the risk and it paid off.”

It was a gamble. The unpredictable southpaw, who demonstrated his ability to fight in multiple styles, carried a damaged hand into the event and was a novice with only three professional bouts on his record.

But he didn’t perform like a novice. He exhibited ring intelligence and crafty skills beyond his years.

One month earlier Carroll boxed and beat Declan Geraghty in Dublin- at their pre-fight press conference Eddie Hearn shook Carroll’s world by announcing the winner would be competing on Sky Sports’ Prizefighter.

Carroll recalled: “I literally just looked at my Da and was like ‘did he say that, no way’ because I was so immature in my career.

“I knew I would be getting in with very experienced fighters. I remember thinking ‘am I going to be ready for that.’”

Challenge number one in Bethnal Green was Stephen Foster. Carroll was aware of his strength after watching videos online and Foster also came from a “very good pedigree” as his father was an ex-boxer.

“But he didn’t look too fast,” Carroll told Fightstore Media. “I knew speed beats power all day long and I knew if he couldn’t hit me I would make that fight handy enough for myself.

“I was just worried about my hand. I put the gloves on and literally tipped the pads twice and I said to Paschal [Collins] straight away ‘my hands still sore’. I had to whisper it to him because there were so many people around.”

He continued: “I remember sitting there and all the lads around me were throwing loads of punches and I turned to Mark Kennedy saying, ‘I have three fights ahead of my there’s no way I’m wasting my energy.’ That just goes to show the confidence I had in myself to win the whole thing out.”

When Carroll overcame Gary Buckley in the semi-final the affable fighter felt like the trophy was destined to accompany him on the flight home.

“I knew Michael Devine was a swinger and he had power but he threw a lot of hooks and not straight shots. So I knew to stay on top of him, let him throw big hooks because once you’re on the inside them hooks don’t make a difference. I knew after the Gary Buckland fight I was going to win it.”

It was a clinical display. A textbook lesson of how to fight aggressively on the inside without enduring too many punches in the process.

The exhilaration etched on Carroll’s face after that encounter is an example of the way boxing can change lives.

Fast forward 18 months and the passionate tone of Carroll’s voice and his enthusiasm when reliving his Prizefighter achievement is infectious.

“It was crazy. All the money and everything none of that even mattered. It was just about getting them big names under my belt. I probably took about five minutes when I thought ‘oh I’m going to win a lot of money as well,’” laughed Carroll.

He added: “It was amazing and such a great feeling. I knew my family and everybody was proud and delighted for me.”

What was the reaction of people when he returned to Ireland?

Carroll explained: “I went into SuperValu to get a roll and it took me about an hour to just get out. Everyone was stopping me and congratulating me. Dunshaughlin is a small town.

“It was a great feeling like winning a world title almost. All of a sudden people I knew well wanted to take a picture with me, it was crazy.

“My sister was watching it in the pub and people in there didn’t believe her that she was my sister. She was like ‘are you serious, it’s my brother’ and people didn’t believe her.

“And then my cousins were messaging me on Facebook saying send me a message there these people don’t believe you’re my cousin.

“It was just so funny because to me I knew I was always going to do these types of things and I always expected it but everyone else didn’t and were a bit baffled.”

Nobody will doubt him again. As you have probably learned while reading this, Jono Carroll is incredibly down to earth.

Thank you for reading his greatest boxing memory.

Photo Source: boxingunion.ie