Wrestling Interview With Fergal Devitt
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Interview Conducted By Errol Leigh Farrell
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Hello, Fergal. To start, Who trained you and how did you get into the wrestling business?
I was trained by Andre Baker at NWA-UK Hammerlock in Kent England. I saw an add in a magazine for a summer training camp they were running and never looked back since. Hammerlock is and amazing school/promotion, Not only did i learn from some of the best teachers around about wrestling, but i also learned about professionalism, conducting yourself in and out of the ring and weight training . I always be greatful to Andre for that. Withou him i would not be where i am today.
How about giving the fans your statistics?
My date of birth is 25/07/81. Im 5`11 , 92kgs,and from Dublin Ireland. I drink alot of Tea( with the tea bag in the cup). And i love baked beans.
Who were your favorite wrestlers growing up?
Its a mixed bag really, the Bulldogs, Shawn Micheals, Rick Rude, Mr. Perfect and even Koko Beware and Savio Vega!
Describe your Wrestling Gimmick?
Back in Hammerlock i used to do the IRISH heel tag team gimmick with my good friend Paul Tracey. We would coming out to the ring dressed like leprechauns , with big stupid hats and Irish flags. The fans HATED us. It was great fun. Nowadays in Japan, im Prince Devitt, but its just a name. They came up with because the Japanese couldnt pronounce FERGAL. I go out there and am pretty much just myself. Im really enjoying it right now.
Describe a typical day of training for you. What do you focus on the most?
I varies from day to day.... we do alot of body weight exercises like squats, push ups, chins and rope climbing. Conditioning work to build stamina and endurance. Resistance training, i swap it around alot going from heavy weight and low rep to light weigh and very high reps. I also like to work on balance and symmetry.
What holds and moves are you best known for?
Im not sure what im known for, you would have to ask other people about that. But i can tell you what i like, and that is to have everything nice and solid. I like chops!
What promotions have you worked for so far in your career?
Well the obvious ones being NWA UK and NWA Ireland. Been to France for French Catch, done a bunch of indies in the US on the east and west coast. Been up to Canada for a few shows too. And now ive been with NEW JAPAN for the last year and a half where im very happy
You have wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling and NWA Ireland? What is the main differance between the two?
There are very few differences. It would be easier for me to point out the similarities. Both are very solid with plenty of hard hitting. The boys work and train hard. Both have a variety wrestlers with differing styles which is great to learn from.
Who are your favorite opponent or opponents to wrestle?
I love wrestling everyone, but if i had to choose... people from england like Johnny Moss and Jon Ryan, Irish boys like Paddy Morrow and Justin Bred. Others i would include Tiger Mask, Kanemoto, Jado and Gedo, Karl Anderson, Rocky Romero and Hartly Jackson
Who is your Dream opponent?
I would have loved to have had a chance to have wrestled Dynamite Kid
What's the worst you've been hurt in the ring?
Ive been known to pick up a few injuries but id say im lucky nothing has been to major. I dislocated my shoulder and bunch of times a few years back. Done the ligaments in both my knees. Broke a write and an ankle. Bruised kidneys. Bruised abdominal. Whiplash. A few concussions. thorn hamstrings. Only recently i was hospitalised for 8 days with an infection in my shin from a dirty ring. But i still consider myself lucky. Injuries are a wake up call for you to take more care of yourself in future
What Titles have you won So Far in your career?
I won the NWA British Commonwealth Title on 2 separate occasions
What is your proudest moment in wrestling?
Winning the British Commonwealth Title the first time in Wales was a great day. Andre was there, a lot of the lads i trained with and became good friends with were there and of course my opponent Dru Onyx who is also a good friend after touring in the Uk. We knocked lumps out of each other that day and i really enjoyed the match.
What sort of reaction do you get from people when they learn you are a wrestler?
Good question! I personally dont like to talk about wrestling around people that dont know about it, so i will never bring it up in a conversation. It leads to to many questions that i would rather not answer and there is no way i could explain what wrestling is and how tough it is to some that is ignorant to it. If people know what i do already its because they knew me before i started wrestling or they have and interest in the sport.
Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
I take every day as it comes. I consider myself so lucky to have had a chance to literally live MY dream and to do what i am doing now, so i never think to far ahead. Ill let it happen and see where it takes me....
Any last comments you'd like to make?
Id like to thank WARNED.net for the chance to do this interview and everyone that has helped me along the way to where i am now. To the fans for supporting wrestling in general, especially the small indy scene because with out that, alot of people like me would never have gotten a chance to do what we do.