Longford's Sports Ambassadors
Five time All Ireland Boxing Champion, Longford’s Michael Nugent tells us about his sport, training and how he is managing with lockdown.
What age did you take up your sport and why?
I was 8 years old. I wanted to box since the age of 4 or 5 years old but at the time my mother wasn’t to keen on it, lol. She and my father told me try football and hurling and if I still wanted to box at 8, I could join a club, so I agreed. I really enjoyed them both, playing with Slashers under age under Niall ward, great crack just wasn’t for me and still love to watch both sports today. I’d have to say the reason I wanted to box was I can remember watching the boxing on RTE with my father at time Bernard Dunne won the world title and Andy Lee and John Duddy were all boxing on RTE at that time, I just loved watching it.
When did you first realise you had a special talent in your chosen sport?
From the very start the first night I joined the club I remember being asked did I wanted to spar and off course I said yes. I remember the coach saying to the 2 lads I was getting put in to spar, saying lads take it easy on him he’s only started lol, after 40 seconds of the first round the coach was saying to the lad don’t hold back, hit him but he couldn’t lol. The coach couldn’t believe it was my first spar and then he asked me was I from a boxing family. I told him no, that’s when I knew this was where I belonged.
Who has had a big influence on your sport career so far?
My father, he taught me so much. He’s always 3 steps ahead of me and always has something new up his sleeve, hard to believe we started of in this sport together as a boxer and a coach he’s been with me every inch of the way.
What is a typical training week for you?
That all depends on what part of the season it is. I like to get all the hard training in early in the season and slow it down and rest more and focus more on the boxing coming up to competitions. It’s something I’ve done for last few years and it works well but when I’m getting ready for competition days, I train 2 times a day. Mondays and Wednesdays, I do a 5k run in the morning and go to my club Olympic Mullingar in the evening and work with club coaches Johnny Joyce and David Joyce, bag work, pads, sparing etc. Tuesday and Thursdays, I do a 5k in the morning and in the evening, I do a strength and conditioning session. Fridays I just do short pads with my father, like working on new stuff more talking and learning and looking at ways to improve things, not really a session, more of a rest day. Saturday is also a rest day which is very important. Sunday, I start the day with 5k and finish it off with uphill sprints and most Sunday’s head to club, sparing if we are not away sparing in other clubs
What is your favourite training workout?
I have to say sparing
What’s your favourite event / competition?
I love the build-up coming up to the All Irelands. I love boxing in the National Stadium, it feels like home to me.
What is your most cherished or proudest moment in sport?
I’ve had so many great moments, but it must be the first time I represented Ireland against Germany
What advice would you give a young sports person who is taking up sport for the first time?
I’d have to say to any kid all sports are great for making new friends, keeping healthy and fit don’t worry if your finding it tuff have a chat with your coach maybe there’s something he or she can do to help, never be afraid to talk. And maybe that one sport is not for you, thankfully we have loads of great sports and clubs in Co Longford try something else. But most of all enjoy it because if your enjoying what your doing you will be successful
Most memorable sporting moment by somebody in
A) your own sport?
I’d have to say Tyson Fury getting back up in the 12th round after getting knocked down by wilder and going on the attack after all he went true.
B) Another sport?
It would have to be Ireland beating New Zealand the all blacks in the rugby.
Who is your sporting ‘hero’? (In your own sport or another sport)
A. Longford - Darragh Greene. He’s a great role model for me, someone at the top of his game and doing great things
in the swimming world
B. Irish – Boxer, Michael Carruth who won the gold medal at 1992 Olympics.
C. International – Boxer, Floyd Mayweather.
What is your next goal?
All-Irelands, hopefully they go ahead
How are you motivating yourself to continue training at these difficult times?
To be honest I really enjoy training, love going for a jog at safe distance. I have 2 young brothers, they started training with me, so they are keeping me busy and, I like to be fit and ready for when things get back to normal. Hopefully that’s soon, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you, Michael, for giving us an insight into your sport and training. We are looking forward to seeing you back in the boxing ring soon and continuing to make all of Longford proud.
Your welcome, I’m happy to be involved and would like to thank everybody that has supported and encouraged me so far in my career.
