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McCrory, Cacace, O'Leary, Quinn...Fast and furious action on Conlan-Lopez undercard

Padraig McCrory takes on Diego Ramirez at the SSE Arena
Padraig McCrory takes on Diego Ramirez at the SSE Arena Padraig McCrory takes on Diego Ramirez at the SSE Arena

THE term ‘stacked’ card is often over-used in boxing bills but not in this case. From the debut of James Freeman to Anthony Cacace’s first defence of his IBO title there is action guaranteed and the 11 undercard fights will be fast and furious.

Undercard at SSE Arena (first fight 4pm, running order subject to change):

IBO super-featherweight title: Anthony Cacace (20-1) v Damian Wrzesinski (26-2-2)

POLAND native Wrzesinski has described himself as ‘the Terminator’ but Cacace – defending his IBO title for the first time – isn’t impressed by the self-styled moniker.

“We’ll see about that, won’t we?” said Cacace.

For so many years it seemed we wouldn’t get to see the best of the untapped Belfast talent, but Cacace is now in the groove and, after eight years spent fighting on the road with long spells of inactivity in between, the 34-year-old intends to make the most of his Indian Summer.

“I’m delighted to be on a show stacked with talent and it means a lot to be able to fight at home in front of my friends and family,” he said.

“I don’t know much about him (Wrzesinski), I’ve watched a bit of tape on him, he hasn’t fought much outside Poland. I don’t really care too much about him, I just want to do what I know I can do and if I do that I should win pretty handy.”

WBC Silver featherweight title: Nick Ball (17-0) v Ludumo Lamati (21-0-1)

CONFIDENT Scouser Ball wants to steal the Belfast show and his clash with South African Lamati is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the night.

Compact and powerful, Ball is an explosive body puncher who is on a four-fight stoppage streak but this has all the hallmarks of a step up in class for him. Lamati has no intention of being pushed around.

“I’m excited, finally I’ve got a shot that will take me to the world title,” said Lamati.

“Ball is strong, he’s a threat. I’m going to give him a fight and we’ll see how he handles a fight. I’ve been in fights, I’ve been pushed and I’ve pushed back. I’ll have a reach advantage and I’ve got experience. He’s strong, he comes forward and he’s a threat. If he’s going to bully me, I deserve that in the ring if I let him do that. He’s an exciting fighter but I think I have enough to handle him. I have the tools, I have the experience, 22 guys from all over the world have tried (to beat me) and failed. We’ll find out what he’s got.”

Ball countered: “All that sounds good but I’ve heard it all before, let’s see what he’s saying when he gets punched in the face. This is a good chance for me to show what I’m about. A world title is in touching distance but I’ve got a man in front of me who’s coming to win and, if you think I’m going to underestimate him then you don’t know me.”

Anthony Cacace defends his IBO super-featherweight title
Anthony Cacace defends his IBO super-featherweight title Anthony Cacace defends his IBO super-featherweight title

Super-flyweight: Conor Quinn (5-0-1) v Juan Hinostroza (11-10-2)

A BOX of tricks and slick skills, Quinn is climbing the ladder steadily and he’s up against a man who took Paddy Barnes the distance a few years back.

Time constraints meant this couldn’t be a WBC Inter-Continental 10-rounder, instead Quinn fights over eight rounds. His time will come.

Super-middleweight: Padraig McCrory (16-0) v Diego Ramirez (25-9-1)

FAN favourite McCrory could be topping the bill himself in August if all goes to plan but first he has to take care of business against experienced Argentine Ramirez who has a history of causing upsets but was fighting at light-middleweight in 2021.

After his IBO world title win at light-heavyweight, ‘The Hammer’ is difficult to match these days. Last time out he tried too hard to force the pace and delight the crowd. This time Dee Walsh’s world title chasing super-middleweight needs to relax and let it happen.

WBC International Super-lightweight title: Pierce O'Leary (11-0) v Alin Florin Ciorceri (17-3)

TIME for ‘Big Bang’ to shine. Dubliner O’Leary, who says he wants to “take peoples’ souls”, has fast hands and a calm head under fire. A brilliant body puncher, he can box orthodox or southpaw and he likes to get up close and let his hands go. If he lands a trademark ‘Big Bang’, Ciorceri could find himself in serious trouble. Don’t miss this one.

Lightweight: William Hayden (5-0) v Jordan Ellison (14-47-3)

HOME debut for England-based Dubliner Hayden who gets the chance to show what he can do against familiar journeyman Ellison who has been in with Jono Carroll, Mac McCullough in the past. A former cadet and U18 Irish champion, Hayden comes to Belfast after back-to-back shutout points wins.  

Welterweight: Kieran Molloy (5-0) v Lesther Espino (6-3)

A KEEP-busy fight for Molloy who is a class act at welterweight and headlined the bill in his native Galway earlier this year. Espino will have it all to do against the Loughborough-based fighter who will be after a first stoppage win in Belfast.

Middleweight: Fearghus Quinn (5-0) v Ruben Angulo (8-5-2)

ANOTHER former Armagh GAA star-turned boxer. Belleek native Quinn is heavy-handed and has an off-the-scale workrate. He outclassed Graham McCormack to win the Celtic middleweight title in November last year. Columbian opponent Angulo took CJ Challenger the eight-round distance earlier this month.

Kurt Walker will be one of the highlights on a stacked undercard
Kurt Walker will be one of the highlights on a stacked undercard Kurt Walker will be one of the highlights on a stacked undercard

Featherweight: Kurt Walker (6-0) v Maicol Velazco (10-6)

ADAM Booth-trained Walker is a calm technician who is improving steadily. The word back from the training camp he shared with Michael Conlan was that he was moving and sparring better than ever and he’ll be after a convincing win against Velazco and looking to break into the title mix before the end of the year.

“We’ll see after this fight on Saturday and then me and Mick might have to get it on,” joked Walker.

Middleweight: James Freeman (debut) v Jordan Grannum (8-115-4)

THE former GAA star has sold a lot of tickets around his native Armagh. Surrounded by former Olympians and internationals, he makes his professional debut despite never having had an amateur fight. A string of knockouts – three in the first round, one in the second – on the semi-pro scene got him noticed as a natural hitter. He is adding technique to that raw talent with coach Dan Anderson and takes on durable Grannum over four rounds.

Lightweight: Callum Thompson (6-0) v Marian Marius Istrate (3-16)

THOMPSON has six wins from six and shouldn’t have much trouble out-pointing Istrate in the bill opener over four rounds.