FOR RYAN Whelan, there is no hangover or half-baked excuses after losing for the first time in the biggest test of his career.
The likeable Birmingham light-heavy vowed to be back in the ring “sooner rather than later” following his Midlands title loss to Dave Butlin.
What’s more the 27-year-old believes he’s a better boxer for the points defeat at the Holiday Inn, Birmingham Airport, in June. “I’ve taken more positives, than negatives,” he stressed.
In his first 10 rounder, Whelan and Butlin served-up a fine, see-saw scrap, the Tamworth man prevailing by a 96-94 margin. That was Ryan’s first setback in seven outings and he’s not losing sleep over the “L” on his record.
“Having an unbeaten record isn’t the be all and end all of boxing,” he said. “That’s why I took the gamble, you have to take title opportunities.”
Whelan, part of Nechells’ famous Holt boxing family, will be boosted by the way he handled the marathon championship course.
“I’ve always had that engine,” he said, “I always got stronger as the fight went on. In the amateurs I was always playing catch-up because I was losing that first round.”
Whelan looks back on the Butlin battle with a “what might have been” mindset but has no argument with the decision.
He knows mistakes were made and there were things that he could have done better.
“I feel I got better as it went on,” he said. “I started a little slowly, for what reasons I don’t know, and gave away too many rounds. The plan was always to push on in the late rounds.
“The fight was quite close and there are no grumbles about the decision. It was one of them nights. I’ve watched it back and, in my eyes, it could’ve gone either way. It was about what you liked in the fight.
“But there are no arguments, it was fair. After the fight, we shook hands and congratulated each other, which is the way it should be. There was no bad blood between us then, there’s none now.”
Whelan is now preparing for another title charge, this time with the experience of a long-haul contest under his belt.
“One hundred per cent I think I’m a better boxer,” he added. “Going through those 10 rounds answered a lot of questions and because it was so competitive I was quite happy. Not happy with the decisions, but there are positives coming out of it.
“Now it’s about getting back in the gym and getting back to full speed again, start pushing again. I still want that Midlands title because there’s a lot of family history attached to it.”
Both uncle Mark and cousin Paul claimed area titles during their careers.
Don’t bet against Ryan still making it a hat-trick for the Holts.
