When you think of the Wild Card in Los Angeles you think of Manny Pacquiao first and formost, however there are fighters behind the scene’s who though only fledgling pro’s would appear to have obvious talent. One of those guys is Dean “The Irish Lightening” Byrne 11-0(4). Bryne 25, hails from Crumlin in The Republic of Ireland first debuted in early 2006 in Australia having had his first six fights there he moved to California and hooked up with Freddie Roach and has had 5 fights so far in America. Here’s what one of The Wild Card’s top up and coming prospects had to say on various things.
Hello Dean, welcome to 15rounds.com
Anson Wainwright – Firstly congratulation’s you have very recently just become a proud father. How are things going?
Dean Byrne – Yeah its so great being a dad I have been blessed, he’s so good eats and sleeps. He was 2 hours old and posing for a picture with his fists like a fighter I guess he takes after his dad! Haha
Anson Wainwright – Your currently back in London because of the birth of the baby. When do you intend to head back to Los Angeles and then fight next?
Dean Byrne – I’m heading back to the States next week Wednesday my flight is. I can’t wait to get straight in to some hard work possibly fight in April I don’t no exacted date.
Anson Wainwright – You had your first 6 fights in Australia but then moved to Los Angeles and fight and live there now. How did a guy from Ireland end up fighting so far from home?
Dean Byrne – I travelled a lot as I was fighting for Ireland as an amateur we boxed in Australia and I met Johnny Lewes out there he saw me fight and asked me if i’d like to go pro and stay in Oz. It was a lovely place so I started my journey with a legend who trained Jeff Fenech Kostya Tzsyu and then wanted to work with me which was a good boost at the time and within 5 fights I became Australian champion so I proved him right I guess.
Anson Wainwright – Do you have any aspiration’s to one day fight in Britain?
Dean Byrne – Fight in Britain sure why not my boy was born here so I would probly like to fight here some day the 02 headlining a World title defence give the English fans an Irishman to talk a bout not just any Irishman Irish lightning.aka right now my dream is in America to be world champion and prove Freddie Roach right.
Anson Wainwright – Who is your manager, trainer & promoter?
Dean Byrne – Freddie Roach he’s my trainer and manager. Also Steven Feder manages me with Freddie and they have big plans for my future. I’m in talks now with big promoter in the States so I haven’t signed just yet in negotiations.
Anson Wainwright – Training at the Wild Card is obviously very exciting and beneficial to you because of the impressive clientele. What are you feeling about the guy and what it does for you as a person and fighter?
Dean Byrne – As a fighter in Wild Card it feels like nothing else, so many champions and so much respect it really makes you feel good to be part of that and you learn from the best what it feels like to train like the best and be humble and enjoy it.
Anson Wainwright – Your a Light Welterweight so you right in the thick of things as far as being the same size as Manny, Amir & Jose Benevidez. Do you train and spar with them? Can you tell us about these experience’s?
Dean Byrne – I’ve sparred with Pac-Man for 2 World title fights. Amir Khan for 2 of his big fights. It’s great to be part of a team that at such a world class level. I haven’t sparred Jose Benevidez yet I will do when i’m back there. It’s great to train and spare with pound for the pound best on the planet when I know I can hold me own and learn from them. It wont be long be for Irish Lightning is World champion and i’ll be a name people will know.
Anson Wainwright – Can you tell us about your amateur career. What titles you won and what was your final record?
Dean Byrne – My amateur career was not to bad over 100 fights have won 80% of them. I’ve had Silver and Bronze medals in multi-nation competitions representing my country at Senior level Irish champion Leinster Senior Champion.
Anson Wainwright – What are your goals in Boxing?
Dean Byrne – My goals are to be world champion and move up weights like Pac-Man and win as many as I can and be a name people will always remember.
Anson Wainwright – Who was your favourite fighter growing up?
Dean Byrne – My favourite fighters were Roberto Duran, Ray Leonard, Ali. Today my favourite is many Pacquiao.
Anson Wainwright – So far what is your best memory as a boxer?
Dean Byrne – Best memory is beating the Australian champion and winnng my first belt. Being Champion is a great memory.
Anson Wainwright – Finally when your not Boxing what do you like to do?
Dean Byrne – What I like to do when not boxing, play poker like the game only when i’m not in training for a fight of course.
Thanks for your time Dean, keep up the good work.
Thank you for your time and wanting to no bout Irish lightning talk soon take care an god bless.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
