“We’re not fans, we’re family,” explained a euphoric fight-goer walking out of Ulster Hall’s famous arched doors after Martin Lindsay had just won the British featherweight title.
The overjoyed punter, who had to shout over a fire alarm to make himself understood, was fielding questions from some shocked members of the English media about the unique atmosphere they had just witnessed.
It’s a fairly common reaction on Belfast fight night. Whether it’s a Mick Conlan-crowned Féile, Carl Frampton strutting in Jackal’s Den or Windsor Park or even a night in the King’s Hall by Paul McCloskey and Martin Rogan, the reaction of roving support, foreign press and even visiting fighters to the noise and the support is always a source of pride.
However, Lindsay versus Paul Appleby at Ulster Hall in April 2009 was different and arguably one of the most unique Irish wrestling atmospheres of all time.
In fact, it wasn’t so much a sporting atmosphere as a shared emotion that hit you like the Holy Spirit at an American evangelical gathering.
The noise felt like it had been transported from a fight night in a stadium and had snuck into the intimate venue. You could touch and taste the anticipation as soon as you walked through the giant double doors that separate the grand lobby and the picturesque arena, but in this case, there was a different flavor and feel to that suspense.
The excitement wasn’t rooted in the fact that the fight-mad town knew they were about to witness an entertaining fight, or even that they felt another Ulster Hall classic. It wasn’t that the informed crowd felt that an upset title win was in the cards for a local lad and the presence of the Setanta Sports cameras was irrelevant to the atmosphere. It certainly wasn’t the crowd pleasing David Haye and Adam Booth, who were signed to ‘The Mac Man’ at the time. Nope.
There was a nervous edge that had everyone moving from the edge of their seats to their feet. There was a huge desire for Lindsay to win and, again, not in the normal way a fan wants her team or the local favorite to win.
The crowd didn’t want a win so they could celebrate, they wanted it because they knew what it meant to the man from Belfast. When the referee stepped in to save the Scotsman in the sixth round and the roof fought with all its might to prevent it from rising beyond repair, the packed crowd, which could only be dispersed by a fire alarm and demands for immediate evacuation , was unable to disperse. rejoicing in victory as fight fans or what it meant boxing-wise, they were celebrating Lindsay, delighted that he had secured success.
“We’re not fans, we’re family” wasn’t meant to suggest that the 1,000-plus crowd was made up of the now Immaculata coach’s brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts and uncles, but rather was an explanation of how they loved him. as if he were a brother.
It was that true sense of love, personal affection and close community spirit that led to the most unique small room atmosphere in Irish boxing history. It’s been seen in flashes ever since, like when Stephen Reynolds brought half of Sligo to Devenish for his epic Celtic Nations title fight with Declan Trainor or when the Dublin crowd officially adopted Jamie Conlan during his classic with Junior Pomegranates.
None of this was to the same extent though, but you have a feeling that might change if Padraig McCrory had his big night in Belfast.
McCrory will challenge Gustave Tamba for the EU super middleweight title in his next fight and will do so on home soil after Conlan Boxing won bids to promote the fight.
Rumors suggest that Galway, on a card with Kieran Molloy, and Belfast are being scouted to host the fight, and while Galway would be awesome, you have a feeling ‘The Hammer’ could have a Lindsay-esque folklore night if it wanted to. win continental honours. in her hometown.
There has always been a sense of goodwill around the Dee Walsh-trained boxer and he has a real personal connection with his fans.
The King of St. James, the hero of the working class, McCrory is now rightfully one of Ireland’s top professionals after a string of remarkable wins. Now 34 and having turned 29 after an amateur career undistinguished by many, this route to the top was unexpected, but it has made it all the sweeter for one of the good guys.
As with Lindsay, there is an air of “more than just fans” that surrounds those who buy tickets from the man from West Belfast. It’s like every person who cheers for him on fight night knows him personally and that creates a special atmosphere.
The passion of the team in front ???? ???? pic.twitter.com/Ujo87HSZMm
— padraig mc crory (@padraigmc1988) August 9, 2022
Now it appears that the stars have aligned to allow Conlan Boxing to use that special following to create smaller magic shows. Put a fighter with that kind of support on top of a bill in an intimate setting, launch a prestigious and meaningful title fight against a dangerous opponent, and you have all the ingredients you need to make a potent potion.
