Sport

Colm Murphy and Liam Gaynor to battle for Celtic title * McGinty in action as boxing is back in Dublin * Michael Conlan sharpens up against El Hadri * Farewell to Eric Donovan

Michael Conlan takes on Karim Guerfi at the SSE Arena on December 10
Michael Conlan takes on Karim Guerfi at the SSE Arena on December 10 Michael Conlan takes on Karim Guerfi at the SSE Arena on December 10

LIAM Gaynor swapped Dublin for Bolton three years ago so he could focus completely on his boxing and the featherweight makes his long-awaited homecoming on November 19 when he challenges home boy Colm Murphy in the main event at Girdwood Community Hub in west Belfast (live on TG4).

Gaynor and Murphy will battle it out for the Boxing Union of Ireland Celtic belt Murphy won by out-pointing Ruadhan Farrell at the SSE Area in August.

Originally from Tallaght, the Dubliner moved to Bolton three years ago. He trains with Alex Matvienko is now 9-1 as a professional with four wins on-the-trot behind him. He steps up to eight rounds for his showdown with Murphy who boxed his way to victory against determined city rival Farrell last time out.

“This is definitely my big break,” said Gaynor.

“It’s what I want as a boxer: I want televised events, new purses and big fights, big challenges... I want to get my name out there in boxing.

“I started out in Dublin but my career was going too slow and I wanted to give it 100 per cent so I made the England move and things started to speed up.”

Murphy (5-0) has half of Gaynor’s experience but he has established himself and as an entertaining staple of MHD Promotions shows and, before winning the first belt of his career against Farrell, he went toe-to-toe in a non-stop battle with Angel Gomez, who returns to Belfast to fight England’s John Cooney on the bill.

“Colm is up-and-coming, same as me,” said Gaynor.

“It’s definitely not an easy fight but it’s one that I need and I feel like I’ll adapt well to whatever he comes with. In previous fights I’ve dealt with Brett Fidoe and Johnny Philips and they’re aggressive, come-forward fighters too.

“I’ve been up against good opponents as an amateur and as a pro so I feel I’m ready for whatever Colm has. If he wants to box, I know I can box; if he wants to fight, I know I can fight… So whatever he brings to the table, I can match him.”

Gaynor had the first two fights of his career in his native Dublin in 2017 and returns to Ireland after five years for his tango with Murphy. The former St Kevin’s Killian’s GAC footballer says that, as the “away fighter”, intends to win clearly.

“I’m going to his backyard,” he said.

“So I definitely have to put a performance on and sway everyone in the audience as well as the judges and that’s what I plan to do. I’ve a good few coming up from Dublin to cheer me on so it should be a good night. It’s always nice to hear the Dublin crowd.”

Boxing Union of Ireland BUI Celtic Featherweight title: Colm Murphy (5-0) v Liam Gaynor (9-1)

Vacant Boxing Union of Ireland BUI Celtic Super Welterweight title: Owen O'Neill (9-0) Owen Duffy (6-2)

Super-featherweight: John Cooney (5-0) v Engel Gomez (8-14-1)

Super-flyweight: Conor Quinn (2-0-1) v Mikey Young (2-6-1)

Super-bantamweight: Ruadhan Farrell (3-1) v John Spencer (0-24)

Middleweight: Dominic Donegan (5-4-1) v Josh Cook (0-21-1)

Super-lightweight: David Ryan (debut) v Ezequiel Gregores (3-12)

Tickets available on Eventbrite or from the boxers.

HE will be missed, but who could argue with Eric Donovan’s decision to hang up his gloves and bow out of boxing as EU European super-featherweight champion.

After winning the biggest personal battle of his life by overcoming the addiction that meant – although he was an Irish champion - he under-achieved as an amateur, Donovan decided to return to boxing as a professional in 2016 aged 31.

Over six years ‘Lilywhite Lightning’ carved out a record of 16-2 and he out-pointed Khalil El Hadri on an emotional night at the Europa Hotel to win the European belt he craved.

“My professional career was one of redemption,” said the father of three.

“With the EU European title being my crowning moment and a night I’ll never forget.”

He added: “My wife, Laura and kids, Jack, Troy and Saoirse are my motivation and inspiration. My wife has been an absolute source of strength, who kept me going during difficult times when I felt like giving up.

“I am looking forward to spending more quality time with them. The higher you build your barriers, the taller I become. Something inside so strong. Looking forward to the next chapters.”

MICHAEL Conlan will spar with Khalil El Hadri, the French fighter who lost to Eric Donovan on decision last month, in preparation with his December 10 showdown with Karim Guerfi at the SSE Arena.

Meanwhile, heavyweight Martin Bakole could be added to the Belfast bill. The 6’6” colossus, originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, became an overnight sensation in his adopted France when he beat Olympic Games gold medallist live on Canal+ recently. Bakole, a former Anthony Joshua sparring partner, is trained by Scotland’s Billy Nelson.

PROFESSIONAL boxing returns to Dublin on November 19. Robert Burke and Kevin Cronin top the Elite Sports Promotions card at the National Stadium when they tangle for the BUI light-heavyweight belt.

The bill also includes a home debut for Donegal’s Brett McGinty and the return of Belfast’s Cathy McAleer. Meanwhile, Craig O’Brien Ray Moylette, Liam Walsh, Cathal Crowley, Danny Keating, Dylan Wilson and Daniel Sullivan will also be in action.

McGinty will be at ringside at Manchester Arena on Saturday night when his coach Ricky Hatton rolls back the years in an exhibition bout against Marco Antonio Barrera and Hatton will be in McGinty’s corner at the famous Dublin venue a week later. McGinty (5-0) is moving up to six rounds after a quartet of four-rounders and will be roared on by an army of supporters from the north-west.

“I really appreciate everybody making the effort and coming down,” he said.

“I didn’t expect as many, I only ordered 100 tickets but they went quickly so I’ve done another 100 since and hopefully a few more this week. So I’m delighted with that.”

McGinty boxed twice last year and, unless he gets another fight in before the end of the year, he’ll have boxed just a couple of times in 2023. He admits the pace of his progress is frustrating and hopes that is about to change.

“I would like to be more active,” he said.

“It’s been a frustrating-enough year and I’m just glad to be getting this fight now, especially with it being at home. I want to push on for a Celtic title next year, that’s what I’m aiming for now. I’ve been pro for quite a while and I think I’ve been learning a lot and I’m at the stage now where I want to kick on. Hopefully I’ll get a good win under my belt and push on in the new year towards some domestic titles.”