Leaving amateur boxing to pursue a professional career was not a difficult decision for Belfast’s John Paul Hale.
Irish champion in 2021, Hale has also collected six Ulster titles and competed in the 2022 and 2026 Commonwealth Games, so the 25-year-old felt “I’ve done as much as I could in the amateur game and now is the time”.
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Of course, signing a medal from this summer game would have been ideal for the state of Glasgow, but the ring was not disappointed as Hale came out after being defeated by England’s Father Mughalzai in the opening round, landing two points to one of his opponent.
Boxing, by any standard, remains a subjective sport when it comes to officiating, and Hale was more than weary after this loss with a one-finger salute to the officials telling his story – the same finger that new manager Michael Conlan flipped in Rio 2016 with his disappointment.
“It’s strange that for the first time I’m not upset with myself,” Hale told BBC Sport NI when reflecting on that day in July.
“Did I know how hard I had worked before her and beat that boy? [Mughalzai] before At that time the referee was sent to work for calling a ‘break’ and if he held, they were warned.
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“I was going on it [Commonwealth Games bout] with the mindset that there would be a similar issue, but the arbitrator felt it from me.
“He was upset because he was going down deep, I knew it was the last chance to accomplish what I set out to do.” [as an amateur].
It’s still the same old amateur code
While Conlan’s conversion to Vladimir Nikitin at the 2016 Olympics would be a disgrace and set the wheels in motion for the downfall of the then-reigning boxer’s body, AIBA [since rebranded to IBA].
World Boxing has received approval from the International Olympic Committee for the new body, which has invaded the Commonwealth Games, but while management has changed, Hale feels some old problems remain.
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“I don’t feel it has changed despite the transition to World Boxing,” he opined.
“They were seen [judges] They were asking for more aggressive fighters and I was fitter, but it doesn’t feel like that and it feels like nothing has changed.
“When you get to the elite level of fighters, you have to have different ways of how people want to win. Some can win on the back foot and there are no decisions, others go forward and it’s not getting.
“Look at Juda Gallagher at the Commonwealth Games. Loads of others were sickened by him too, a few Scottish fighters were on the wrong end. [decisions].
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Conlan’s major boost. the back
Conlan twice challenged for professional world honors after a stellar amateur career [Getty Images]
There was no temptation to remain an amateur and have a crack at reaching the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, although he toyed with the idea of making the transition to pay the two-year ranks, but “he did not want to have any desires. [from the amateur career]”with the opportunity to sign in Glasgow which remains a great experience”.
Now in his mid-20s, it’s time to turn the right page with former amateur world champion and two-time professional title challenger Michael Conlan taking control of his fortunes.
“It’s kind of special to have him on board because he knows a lot about pro boxing and it’s a great writer to have someone like him with that knowledge behind me.”
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Hale, who initially fought at welterweight, will also stay true to his roots and will continue to star on the ABC in the New Lodge area of north Belfast.
On November 27, he will cross the city to The Devenish to make his professional bow, a venue that also hosted the debut of world super-featherweight champion Anthony Cacace and where former title challenger James Tennyson built his career.
“If I can afford it, it’s going to be major Fridays and nights,” Hale said.
“I prefer to start from the bottom like being a bit of a dog and build myself up. You can jump in too early and be overwhelmed by it.
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“There are big pros who have fought on smaller shows, so that’s all part of the game.
“As it is a debut, many people who respect me as an amateur want to come and see me as a pro, so it will be a good night.”