Katelynn Phelan faces the biggest night of her young professional career on Saturday as she takes on Jessica Schadko in Donauwoerth in Donauwoerth, Germany.
The young Kildare Town welterweight has secured a major fight with German-Ukrainian sensation Schadko for her first title contest, but very much as underdog and in the lion's den.
The fight was initially meant to take place early last month, but was postponed after her opponent fell ill.
Refixed to this Saturday, the 20-year-old Phelan will put it all on the line for three belts - the WBC Youth title, the WBF title, and the WIBA title.
While Ireland's youngest professional female boxer has three wins from her three pro fights thus far, Schadko is unbeaten in eight and there is significant investment being placed in the 19-year-old.
We're on our way !
— katelynnphelan00 (@katelynnphelan1) October 15, 2020
Nearly time to collect my belts 👊🏻 #andthenew #smilingassassin
Phelan is stepping up from four rounds all the way to ten for this bout and, if a jump in rounds and quality opposition isn't enough, she will be fighting Schadko behind closed doors in the German's own boxing club, the CPI Gym.
The St Brigid's BC graduate has a fine amateur pedigree, having won nine Irish titles, European Junior bronze, and World Youth bronze, and feels more than up to the challenge this weekend.
"I've been training for the past few months for this fight, preparing, working hard, day-in, day-out, working with my coach Niall Barrett and my dad Paddy. Training has been tough but it's been great, I've been enjoying every single day.
"I've been training since June for this fight and it hasn't been hard to stay in the gym because I love it so much. I train every day, it's just my passion to keep training, to work hard, and do what I can to achieve my goal.
"I know that Jess is going to be in top form as well, she's going to try her hardest, but we're going to come out on top.
"This is a big challenge and we are fighting in her back garden but I've fought all over the world in numerous rings. I'm up for a challenge, who doesn't love a challenge? I've full confidence in myself and I know I'm ready for this.
"I started boxing when I was five or six years old and everybody used to tell me 'you're going to go to the Olympics'.
"Of course, I'm stubborn, and as soon as I started to think for myself, I decided that my style suits more to the professional style of boxing.
"This is the start, I have massive goals ahead and I know I'm well capable of achieving every single one of them that I put my mind to. This is a big, big goal but it still is only a stepping stone to what I am capable of."
Phelan's fight this Saturday night will be streamed live here.
