Who is Darren Traynor? Facts you need to know below
As news broke recently that Aberdeen’s Darren Traynor (16-3, 7KOs) was stepping in to face two-weight world champion Carl Frampton (27-2, 15KO’s) at late notice on August 15, many fight fans were wondering just who ‘The Jackal’s’ 30th opponent actually was.
So, BBN dug up some interesting facts about the 33-year-old Scotsman:
1. Born in Aberdeen on October 27, 1986.
2. Nicknamed ‘Train-Wreck’.
3. Aged 13, Darren developed a serious drug problem, but boxing helped him to turn his life around.
4. A seven-time Scottish champion at youth level, he became the first Briton in history to win the Golden Gloves in America, in 2007 at the age of 21.
Trained by David McAllister out of the Granite City ABC, his son, Lee McAllister, a two-weight Commonwealth champion, helped prepare Traynor for the tournament in Minneapolis by sparring with him. Traynor beat tough American Craig Butler and classy Purto Rican Miguel Merralo.
5. On his professional debut in September 2011, he fought against another debutant, Marvin Campbell, and stopped him in the fourth round of a scheduled six rounds at lightweight. In his second pro fight, he fought yet another debutant, Juri Varuskins, and stopped him in the second of four scheduled rounds.
6. In just his seventh fight, aged 27, he took on experienced Bulgarian Yordan Vasilev (15-31-2) for the vacant International Masters super-featherweight title. It couldn’t have started any worse, as Traynor was knocked down twice in the opening round. He was first caught with a flash right in the first 30 seconds, then moments later he was caught with another right and touched down again, both times taking the eight-count. He managed to survive the early scare to win 96-94 on points to collect his first professional title.
7. He won his first Scottish Area title at featherweight in 2015; then he won the lightweight version in 2016; finally, the super-lightweight strap in 2018, making him a three-weight Scottish Area titlist. All three championship fights finished early, recorded in the sixth, eighth and seventh rounds, chronologically.
8. He has also fought for the British featherweight title, against Ryan Walsh, and the WBA International super-lightweight belt, against James Tennyson, but was beaten in fifth and third rounds respectively.
9. Darren is married with two teenage daughters.
10. His last opponent will be sharing the bill with him on August 15 – Traynor defeated Des Newton (8-13) on points in February this year and now the Devonian will be in the away corner against Paddy Donovan (3-0) on the very same show.
What Darren Traynor has said about his next fight: "This is my opportunity and my chance of getting back on the big stage again. I never ever thought I would be getting in the ring with Carl Frampton but now it is happening. I have to believe I can do it."
Everything you need to know about Frampton vs Traynor HERE
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