Sport
5 August, 2022
Connor carves up in debut pro fight
CABOOLTURE’S Connor Dippelsmann passed his first test as a professional boxer with flying colours as he won his maiden professional bout in the second round with a technical knockout.
The 19-year-old Connor was too good for his 46-year- old counterpart John Min in a lightweight (60kg) bout at the Brisbane-based Greek Club on July 22.
John’s professional boxing career began before Connor was even born, and the Caboolture competitor estimated that the biggest age gap between himself and an opponent in amateur boxing would have been about three years.
“It feels good, it feels like an achievement,” Connor said of his victory.
“I definitely felt in control of the fight.
“We had a game plan. Stayed long and got the job done.”
Connor said he was nervous in the lead-up but that this was a good thing.
“If you’re not nervous, there’s something wrong,” he said.
“It keeps you focused.”
Connor said it was “a whole different game” in professional ranks compared to amateur ranks, with “getting your hands wrapped” and the referee coming to speak to the competitors before the bout.
“It was definitely loud, with the spectator noise,” Connor said.
“I couldn’t even hear my walkout song when I walked out.”
Connor’s opponent seemed very tired after the first round, with Connor wearing him down.
The Caboolture boxer landed some clean punches to take the pressure off, and a hit to the body sent John tumbling in the second round.
John soon found himself trapped in a corner of the ring before the round concluded, and the referee declared Connor the victor as he had the upper hand.
“I knew what I could land and what I couldn’t land,” Connor said afterwards.
“There was no need to turn it into a brawl.”
Although enjoying his triumph, Connor said “you’ve got to move forward”.
He was back in the gym just three days later, and said there were always ways to learn and improve.
Connor’s coach Luke Sheehan said he too was very happy with the result.
“He (Connor) did everything he should have done, pretty much,” Luke said.
“He boxed smart, he didn’t take silly risks, he was level-headed, and he was focused.”
Luke said the result reflected where Connor should be at this stage of his boxing career, whereas a first-up loss in professional ranks would have raised the question of whether it was the right career for him.
Luke said Connor had talent, drive, and an X-factor.
Connor and Luke said they planned for Connor’s next bout to be at Eatons Hill on October 8, with details to be confirmed later.