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Closing in on a title shot – Cathy McAleer to make the next step with Summer Brawl win

The ‘Summer Brawl’ card doesn’t only provide Cathy McAleer with a chance to make a favourable comparison to Matchroom prospect Shannon Courtney it may also move the Belfast fighter to within touching distance of a first title shot.

The karate and kickbox convert takes on Roz Mari Silyanova, who recently took Matchroom’s Courtenay the distance live on Sky Sports, on a card topped by Feargal McCrory on May 18th. 

The fight plays somewhat into the long term target Courtenay narrative – but, more importantly, it will put the 40-year-old potentially just one fight from a title. 

McAleer revealed MHD promoter Mark Dunlop is hoping to secure a title tilt for the John Breen trained fighter if she emerges victorious later this month. 

“Mark signed me to a three fight deal and this is my second fight with him and he is talking about the possibility of a title fight straight after this,” McAleer told the Belfast Newsletter.

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If that title shot materializes it could be a form of a BUI Celtic title  – which is contested over six rounds – that is on the line later in the year, but McAleer has ‘all the way’ dreams.

“The aim is to go all the way and hopefully John is right behind me on that too. We are giving it a good go, the journey has started off well and we will see where we can go now.”  

McAleer has caught the eye since turning over. Her first two fights have been entertaining and ultra-competitive to say the least thanks to a fan-friendly style and she has a large support only too happy to rejoice in her efforts.

The combat sports veteran may want to avoid back and fort affairs moving forward and Breen may play a vital role in that.

The former Down footballer reveals she is still in the adaptation stage, but is confident she is moving in the right direction under the Belfast coach’s tutelage.

“John’s been great. Every day I am learning. It’s a completly new area for me. I did kick boxing and then karate and now over to the boxing. So everyday I am learning something new, working on my footwork, my speed, my movement and the combinations are coming together so it’s going well,” she explains before discussing her Bulgarian opponent.

“I know she fought on Sky TV three weeks ago against a lady called Shannon Courtenay, so she’s a good opponent and I am looking forward to a real strong contest.”
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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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