Hale's Pro Debut Set for 27 November
The Belfast boxer leaves amateur boxing after a contentious loss at the Commonwealth Games and joins the stable of manager Michael Conlan.
By Anthony Foster ·
John Paul Hale will make his professional boxing debut at The Devenish in Belfast on 27 November. The 25 year old fighter has officially ended his amateur career to sign with manager Michael Conlan, a move that follows a controversial defeat at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Hale competed in Glasgow this summer, where he lost his opening round bout to England's Patris Mughalzai. The referee awarded Mughalzai one point to Hale's two, a score that Hale says was decided by officiating rather than the action in the ring. He pointed to a one finger salute to the officials as the moment that defined his final amateur contest.
"I did as much as I could in the amateur game and now is the right time," Hale told BBC Sport NI. He noted that the referee allowed him to work without calling for breaks, despite holding that should have triggered warnings. Hale believed the outcome mirrored a similar previous victory over Mughalzai, but the decision felt taken from him.
The loss marked the end of a long amateur run that included an Irish Elite title in 2021, six Ulster titles, and participation in both the 2022 and 2026 Commonwealth Games. Hale considered staying amateur to chase a spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics but decided against it to avoid future regrets.
Conlan, a former amateur world champion and two time professional title challenger, will guide Hale's new professional journey. Hale says Conlan's knowledge of the pro game is a major boost. The two share a history of frustration with amateur officiating, recalling Conlan's own one finger gesture after his 2016 Olympic loss to Vladimir Nikitin.
Hale believes the transition to World Boxing, which replaced the International Boxing Association, has not fully resolved judging issues at the elite level. He argues that judges often favor more aggressive fighters, leaving those who fight from the back foot or with different styles at a disadvantage. He cited other fighters at the Commonwealth Games who received similar decisions as evidence that the system remains inconsistent.
For his first professional fight, Hale will compete at welterweight. He will remain based at Star ABC in the New Lodge area of north Belfast. The venue for his debut, The Devenish, is known for hosting early career fights for local prospects, including current world super featherweight champion Anthony Cacace and former title challenger James Tennyson.
Hale plans to build his record from the bottom up, preferring the underdog status to avoid being overwhelmed by high profile early bouts. He expects a strong crowd of former amateur fans to attend the event on 27 November. He stated that if he performs well, larger venues and bigger nights will follow.
