Big Thomas Carty believes he has enough talent to rule the Irish heavyweight division in the pros, but the Dubliner has unfinished business in the vest first.

The Glasnevin BC man was edged out in the Elite Senior super heavyweight final back in February. A strong final round saw him badly hurt Martin Keenan, but the busy Rathkeale fighter had done enough to take it on the cards.

21 year old Carty stood back from the spotlight afterwards to rebuild and would subsequently come in for attention from domestic promoters looking to secure his signature.

It didn’t all fit though for the young Phibsborough puncher, who eventually would reject these advances. A confident character, Carty has reset his sights on the Tokyo Olympics and a bigger pro move afterwards.

“I will not be turning pro,” Carthy told Irish-Boxing.com.

“I am chasing the Olympic dream. I’ve my past demons gone and out of my head and I’ve been working quietly.”

“I’m going to build a better amateur pedigree and go professional with a bigger promoter. I won’t go pro in Ireland that’s for sure.”

Carty, who captained the Ireland U22’s at the European Championships in March, believes he is the best big man in the country and claims that “I have more natural talent and ability than the whole heavyweight division in Ireland put together.”

“I know myself I can go pro and make it very, very far.”

“I’m sparring the likes of Niall Kennedy and other professionals and holding my own. When I do go pro after another three years of improving I’ll take everyone apart at domestic level.”

First however though he plans to become Senior champ and end the 70-year heavyweight medal drought in major international tournaments.

Already training for next year’s tournament, Carty detailed how “I have week long sparring camps set up for September, October, December, and January between Ireland, Wales and Spain.”

“I have a plan for this year and it is already in motion.”

“I’ve matured and grown so much since the Seniors, I’m 21 years old now and I feel as though I’m ready to take on the world.”

The Dubliner has come in for high praise recently which has him bouncing ahead of the 2018 Seniors. He outlined how “it’s time to repay all those who have great belief in me.”

“Zaur [Antia, Irish head coach] reckons I am the most naturally talented heavyweight he has ever worked with.”

“Romania [European U22s] was such a valuable experience for me getting to work closely with Zaur and finding out what exactly my weaknesses are. I have been working quietly on these and I will be a complete package going into this years championships.

“My club coaches Jimmy Halpin, Paul Thompson and new addition Martin Doran have been working tirelessly to leave no stone unturned coming into this season. ”

“I know there are big things coming for me, I have the belief in myself now it’s just a matter of time.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)