By Steven Goulding (@Gouldin87)
22 year old lightweight ‘Vicious’ Kieran Farrell had his coming of age fight for the English Title on December 7th 2012, headlining Coldwell Promotions ‘The Battle of Manchester’ bill against Anthony ‘Million Dollar’ Crolla, and the fight lived up to its title, pleasing the crowd, but ending in tragic circumstances.
The fight was fought at a brutal, Gatti-Ward like pace with neither fighter willing to give the other an inch. It was a fight were you wouldn’t have complained whoever got the decision, and by the time the decision was announced, no-one ringside cared. At the end of the tenth and final round, Kieran collapsed in his corner and had to be rushed to hospital. Those ringside, including myself were thinking the worst, with flashbacks of Michael Watson, Spencer Oliver and Gerald McClellan immediately springing to mind.
There were still chants of ‘Only one Kieran Farrell’ only now they were tinged with fear rather than the boisterous aggression used earlier in the night. Initial rumours were that Kieran had just suffered from dehydration, however the truth was much more serious. Kieran admitted that he was in pain in the latter half of the fight, but didn’t say anything to his trainer because he knew he would pull him out and he wanted to see the final bell. Kieran recalls what he can from the end of the fight:
“All I can remember at the end of the fight is my trainer John Breen picking me up on his shoulders and thinking “fucking hell I feel a bit funny” and then I just sagged because I couldn’t keep myself up, and I don’t remember anything after coming down from John’s shoulders”
Kieran was stretchered out of the Bowlers Arena and rushed to intensive care, initially he was frustrated that he had to stay in overnight as he would miss the Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez fight, which further highlights his love for the sport. However, after being diagnosed with a bleed on the brain, Kieran was to spend the best part of a week in hospital. When he was eventually discharged, Kieran admitted it was hard to even walk out of the hospital. The harsh truth dawning on him, he had a long wait over the Christmas period to find out if he would be able to box again.
Farrell had his follow up scan on the 8th January this year. Those who know Kieran and the British boxing world had their fingers crossed for him. After meeting with the doctor, Kieran released the following statement:
“Doctor Hewitt confirmed my worst fears today. I will never box again, the next punch to my head could be fatal & the BBBofC wouldn’t license me. I asked if I had a 4 year break would I be able to box? He told me I have long term brain damage, once its damaged, it won’t mend.
I was expecting the worse but its worse when it’s told to you, I’m heart broke. I need a few days to get my head round it. VIVA LAS VICIOUS.”
At 22 years old, and someone who lived the lifestyle, lived for training and never touched alcohol this was understandably a bitter pill to swallow, even worse than being forced to retire though, according to Kieran, were two of the judges’ scorecards on the night. Ex British Champion Crolla picked up a unanimous decision victory on the night, but in what was a candidate for fight of the year (I can vouch for that) the scores of Phil Edwards and Dave Parris left a bitter taste in the mouth.
“I thought I won the fight on the night, I’ve watched it back and I still do, I was the aggressor but it depends how you score fights. I’m not bitter about the result, Terry O’Connor gave it 96-94 for Crolla, I can accept that but the 92-99 from Phil Edwards and for Dave Parris to have it as wide I just don’t understand. I was heart broke when my brother Nathan told me the scores. How can a fight of the year be so one-sided?”
Kieran said watching the fight back has given him closure, and although he has been forced to retire before his time, and won’t even be able to spar again, he has a career that he can be proud of having been in the sport since the age of seven. The Crolla fight was his first and only loss, finishing his Pro career with a record of 14-1, 3 KO’s, he has never hit the canvas in his career and represented his country as an amateur. In true fighting spirit Kieran is already looking to the future, rather than feeling sorry for himself Kieran has picked himself up and is focussing on opening his own gym, becoming the best trainer he can be and keeping kids off the street in his Heywood community.
“It’s still hard to accept that I won’t be world champion like I’ve dreamed of, I wanted to be in fights with Michael Buffer calling my name, but it’s not meant to be and I have to accept that now. Now I’ve got the mentality of a youth worker, if I can train kids in my Gym and stop them from drinking, smoking and hanging around street corners then that’s as good as a world title for me.”
Kieran has the Keys for a property on the same street that he grew up on, which he is going to convert into his own Gym, he is already registered to study for his coaching badges, and is focussing on building his own stable of fighters.
The response of the boxing community has been overwhelming for Kieran, with a wealth of support, he admitted some people have contacted him who he didn’t expect, and a few haven’t. “You find out people’s true colours” Kieran said, and had high praise for friend Gary Doherty, Welshman Jamie Arthur and Liverpool Boxer Derry Mathews (who Kieran may well have fought in the future) who have all arranged fundraisers. Kieran’s promoter Dave Coldwell has also arranged a benefit dinner, with Ricky Hatton and Jamie Moore already confirmed as guest speakers.
It is safe to say the boxing world certainly hasn’t heard the last from Kieran Farrell; he is raring to go in his new career path. The name of his gym? It can of course be only one thing: VIVA LAS VICIOUS.
You can show your support to Kieran on twitter @Viciousfarrell and details for Kieran’s fundraiser can be found on colwellboxing.com
*Steven Goulding is editor of thatsaknockout.co.uk*
