Lewis aiming to make a knockout start to pro career

Promising young boxer Cain Lewis will take his first step into professional boxing as part of the undercard for the big Michael Conlon v TJ Doheny fight at the Feile na Phobail in Belfast tomorrow (Friday 6th August).

Raised in Balreask Manor, Navan, the 18-year-old Lewis is the youngest of three boys in his family and he will take a big step in his fledgling career when he enters the ring for his bout at Feile an Phobail or, as it is also known, the West Belfast Festival, and which is held annually in and around the Falls Road.

The Trim teenager will be boxing in the super-featherweight division.

Lewis attended Robinstown National School and Dunshaughlin Community College completing his Leaving Cert in 2020. He started boxing at the age of eight and played Gaelic football and hurling for Bective and Dunderry and soccer for Robinstown.

Boxing, however, was always his first love and he decided to concentrate more on his career in the ring when he started secondary school. He joined St Seachnall's Boxing Club, Dunshaughlin where he was coached by Paddy Carroll and Vernon Carroll.

During his amateur career Lewis has won two national titles, two European medals, seven county titles and two International Box Club titles.

He has also represented his country throughout Europe a number of times. Lewis's dream was always to become a professional boxer so when Covid hit, his coaches set up a gym at Tara. That allowed him to train throughout lockdown.

Coach Vernon Carroll says Lewis has what it takes to make an impact in what is by any standards a very tough, demanding sport.

"I formed St Seachnalls Boxing Club in Dunshaughlin in 2009. Cain joined a year later and I knew straight away he had something special," he added.

"He had a geat work ethic and an intelligence to pick up techniques immediately and he was the hardest trainer in the gym. At the early stages of opening the gym I think Cain was inspired by my son Jono 'King Kong' Carroll who was a world title challenger and IBF Intercontinental and European champion.

"There are many times where Jono and Cain trained together and I think Jono certainly helped him along the way. Both of them have very similar styles and work ethic. I really believe Cain made the right decision starting so young to learn the professional game and hence will go a long way in the sport."