Carl McDonald steps off the scales and is handed a bottle of water mixed with Berocca, an apple and a hotdog. It's deserved provision for the Irish super bantamweight champion, as he prepares for his second fight in eight days.
The Jobstown boxer fights on the Clash of the Titans undercard at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday, live on TG4. It's a welcomed return for bigtime boxing in the capital that comes in the midst of a busy period for McDonald.
Last week, McDonald stood in on just 48 hours notice to face three-weight British title challenger Iain Butcher for a six-round bout on the MTK Global card at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow. The Irishman had the favourite on the canvas inside the first round and had him in all sorts of trouble in the third.
Despite this, he was defeated on a points conclusion 58-56. A decision that was frustrating but not shocking.
Speaking to Balls.ie on the day of his weigh-in for Saturday's scrap, McDonald explains he has parked last week now.
I don't know, it’s not even disappointment. It’s one of those things... Everyone knew I won except the referee, I don’t mind. Even the opponent himself congratulated me after the fight, he knew he lost. I knew I won. But it is one of those things when you are in the away corner.
He’s a European level fighter, I proved it at least at that level. I'm only 7 fights in, he's 22. I can only take good things from that fight.
McDonald's ascent has him targetting European titles in the not too distant future. First, he must overcome Hungarian David Botos.
There's a sense around this card and domestic boxing in general, of a long-awaited upturn in fortunes. McDonald admits to recognising the increased attention the sport is garnering and credits one figure in particular for attracting it.
"It’s brilliant overall, I think Katie (Taylor) has taken the game to a whole new level. She is really special, in a world of her own."
He pauses briefly and laughs. You get the sense Carl McDonald genuinely loves what he does and is only happier that more people get to experience it too.
Irish boxing on terrestrial television paves the way for bigger and better days. For McDonald, it's the start of something big.
This is magic. For myself and for everyone else. Even for the next generation coming along, it's great. You have to work hard as a boxer, no one works harder. It can be vicious, so to finally get some recognition, brilliant.
