CELTIC titles are on the line north and south of the border in tonight’s bills at Belfast's Girdwood Community Hub (live on TG4) and at Dublin’s National Stadium.
Colm Murphy defends his featherweight title against Dubliner Liam Gaynor in the headliner in Belfast. Murphy won the belt against Ruadhan Farrell in August and the all-action, Dee Walsh-trained dynamo is confident he’ll have too much for Bolton-based Gaynor tonight.
“I’m younger and I’ve fought eight rounds before,” ‘Posh Boy’ pointed out.
“I know he’s going to ask a lot of questions of me but that’s exactly the kind of challenge I want because I believe that the better the fighter, the better I box.”
Chief support is the Antrim versus Cavan battle between home favourite Owen O’Neill (9-0) and Breffni battler Owen Duffy who recovered from a knockdown last time out to stop county rival Dominic Donegan, who is also on the bill.
Meanwhile, at the National Stadium, Robert Burke takes on Jiri Kroupa for the Celtic Light-Heavyweight title. Burke (2-1) lost to Jamie Morrissey in Belfast early last year and will be determined to get back to winning ways.
Ricky Hatton-trained Donegal fighter Brett McGinty, who fights Italian Alessandro Ruggiero, hopes to kick on to title level next year.
“It’s been a frustrating-enough year and I’m just glad to be getting this fight now, especially with it being at home,” said the St Johnstone native.
“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.” Also in action on the 10-fight card is Cathy McAleer. The south Belfast woman has been kicking her heels for two and-a-half frustrating years on the sidelines during which time she has had seven fights cancelled.
“What a two years it’s been,” said Cathy.
“It has probably been the worst time I’ve experience in my life and to lose my mum unexpectedly blew my whole world apart. Mum was amazing lady, my biggest fan and my best friend and I miss her every day more and more and I wish she was here still.
“Over two and-a-half years’ I trained and prepared for seven fights and all seven were cancelled. One I even flew to and it was cancelled on the morning of the fight. It cost me so much time, money and mental commitment to keep going each time.
“I must thank my sponsor its4women who stuck by me in Covid and supported me. It’s time to go again and this time with Tony Davitt who is managing me for this event and giving me such a great opportunity to fight in the National Stadium.”
Girdwood Community Hub, Belfast:
Boxing Union of Ireland BUI Celtic Featherweight: Colm Murphy (5-0) v Liam Gaynor (9-1)
Boxing Union of Ireland BUI Celtic vacant super-welterweight title: Owen O'Neill (9-0) v Owen Duffy (6-2)
Super-featherweight: John Cooney (5-0) Engel Gomez (8-14-1)
Super-flyweight: Conor Quinn (2-0-1) Mikey Young (2-6-1)
Middleweight: Dominic Donegan (5-4-1) v Josh Cook (0-21-1)
Lightweight: David Ryan (debut) v Brayan Mairena (12-31-1)
National Stadium, Dublin:
Boxing Union of Ireland (BUI) Celtic Light-Heavy title (vacant): Robert Burke (2-1) v Jiri Kroupa (4-6)
Middleweight: Craig O’Brien (12-3) v Pavel Albrecht (14-19)
Welterweight: Danny Keating (5-0) v Ivan Njegac (13-26)
Super-lightweight: Ray Moylette (12-2) v Ivaylo Boyanov (4-10-1)
Middleweight: Brett McGinty (5-0) v Alessandro Ruggiero (6-10-2)
Lightweight: Dylan Wilson (3-0) v Jiri Jaros (6-24)
Super-welterweight: Liam Walsh (3-0-2) v Attila Dobolan (3-5)
Featherweight: Cathy McAleer (4-1) v TBC
Light-heavyweight: Cathal Crowley (0-0-1) v Veselin Vasilev (0-4)
Super-welterweight: Daniel O’Sullivan (1-0) v Dale Arrowsmith (5-67-2)
