MAY looks set to be a momentous month for Irish boxing with former Olympic Games team-mates and medal winners Michael Conlan and Katie Taylor in world title fights within a week of each other.
Taylor and Amanda Serrano are due to rematch in Dublin on the 20th and Conlan is gearing up to challenge IBF featherweight champion Luis Alberto Lopez in Belfast on May 27.
Conlan Boxing chief Jamie Conlan said yesterday that negotiations are at an advanced stage to bring Lopez to Belfast to face his younger brother at the SSE Arena.
“It’s not across the line yet but the date that we’re working towards is May 27,” said Jamie.
“It would be a fantastic time for Irish boxing to have two massive shows basically back-to back.
“On the Lopez fight, I think we’re all on the same page. On their side, they’re not far off getting their number and we’re not far off getting our number so I don’t envision it being too much of an issue.”
Meanwhile, after months of uncertainty over a Croke Park spectacular, Taylor-Serrano 2 has been given the green light for Dublin’s 3 Arena for Mayo 20.
On social media, MMA personality Connor McGregor did give an undertaking to sponsor the Croke Park bill and cover the costs of security but The Irish News understands that no formal offer has yet been received by Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn.
“This rematch after one of the best fights we’ve ever seen, the rematch between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, is on. May the 20 in [Dublin] Ireland,” Hearn told DAZN at the weekend after Serrano defeated Erika Cruz via unanimous decision to add the WBA featherweight title to her WBC, IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring belts.
“I can’t believe Katie Taylor will make her debut in Ireland, but on May the 20th, Katie came all the way here to New York last year [on May 20 and won a highly controversial 10 round split decision], and now Amanda is true to her word.
“She will come to Ireland on May 20 for the biggest fight of the year, the epic rematch of these two.”
Looking forward to her home debut as a professional, undisputed lightweight champion Katie reflected on the mouth-watering clash of the champions in Dublin.
“For the first time in the four-belt era, two reigning undisputed champions will face off with each other.
“This is the biggest fight in boxing and this is exactly what I want.”
PODY McCrory is set to fight a world super-middleweight title eliminator as chief support to Conlan-Lopez on May 27. There was speculation that Belfast’s ‘Hammer’ could headline a show in the city on St Patrick’s Day but, according to Jamie Conlan, an opportunity has emerged for McCrory to take a step towards a world title opportunity in a second weight division.
McCrory won the IBU world light-heavyweight title last year but intends to continue campaigning at 168lbs.
THERE were echoes of the speed and skill of Irish boxing legend and WBA world champion Dave ‘Boy’ McAuley in Conor Quinn’s performance at the Europa Hotel last Saturday night.
Flyweight Quinn is only six fights into his professional career so perhaps the comparison is premature but there is no doubting his potential and he dealt with teak-tough journeyman Stephen Maguire emphatically to score the fourth knockout of his fledgling career.
Dee Walsh-trained Quinn, who headlined the Europa show, is being developed smartly by Mark Dunlop and if he continues to progress - and there’s no reason to suspect otherwise - a British title shot should be on the cards for him in the not-too-distant future.
Three of his stablemates from the Gleann gym recorded impressive wins. Colm Murphy also won by stoppage while Owen O’Neill (at middleweight) and Ballycastle native Gerard Hughes recorded points wins as did Dubliner David Ryan.
Meanwhile, Jamie Morrissey won Saturday night’s Celtic light-heavyweight title battle with a decision win over ‘Kingdom Warrior’ Kevin Cronin after eight competitive rounds.
Some at ringside felt Kerry native Cronin had done enough to shade the last two rounds and take the title but referee Padraig O'Reachtagain – who scored the final round a draw - went for Limerick’s Morrissey who got a 77-76 decision win.
Boxing Union of Ireland BUI Celtic Light Heavyweight title: Jamie Morrissey (5-0) beat Kevin Cronin (5-1) pts
Super-flyweight: Conor Quinn (5-0-1) bt Steven Maguire (4-34-1) TKO
Middleweight: Owen O'Neill (11-0) bt Josh Cook (0-23-1)
Super-featherweight: Colm Murphy (7-0) bt John Spencer (0-29) Rtd
Super-Featherweight: David Ryan (2-0) bt Dale Arrowsmith (5-72-2) Pts
Featherweight: Gerard Hughes (2-0) bt Sean Jackson (0-5) Pts
JERMAINE Franklin says his prediction of victory over Anthony Joshua on April 1 “ain’t no April Fool’s joke”.
Franklin, the ‘989 Assassin’, pushed Dillian Whyte all the way in a close points loss in London last November and is relishing his shot against one of the biggest names in British boxing. Joshua (24-3) is ready to begin his ascent back to the top of the Heavyweight division after suffering back-to-back losses to pound-for-pound great Oleksandr Usyk in London and Saudi Arabia.
“I'm looking forward to stepping back into the ring on April 1 at The O2 in London.” said Joshua. “Mentally and physically I feel ready. I want to put on a show and impress my coach as he has high standards. Franklin has a good style and a great attitude, which he has shown in recent fights.
“This will be my first fight broadcast on DAZN in the UK and it will be globally available on the platform.
“I want to thank DAZN for supporting both myself and the sport of boxing as a whole. I would also like to thank the team at 258 and Matchroom Boxing.”
Meanwhile, Franklin is pulling no punches in the build-up and says former Olympic golden boy Joshua has “had his time” after those two losses to Usyk followed a shock KO defeat against unheralded Andy Ruiz jnr.
“I’m ready to show the world why it’s time for me to take my place at the top of the Heavyweight division,” said Franklin.
“Joshua had his time. It’s my time to shock the world! This fight isn’t going to the judge’s card. I will have win number 22 come April 1. That ain’t no April Fool’s joke.”
