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Alfredo Meli aiming for the ‘Big Time’ following comeback KO


Finally back in the ring, Alfredo Meli [16(5)-0-1] is ready to start fulfilling his potential.

The Belfast middleweight ended a one year break with an impressive performance at the Ulster Hall on Friday.

Meli chopped down Hungarian Achilles Szabo to the body inside two rounds and is now keen to get into the ‘big time’.

Family reasons have kept the full-time mechanic out of the ring in recent times but he wants to get active and is eyeing major fights.

Meli’s domestic progression has been slow – he drew with Conrad Cummings in a BBBoC Celtic title fight back in 2015 for which he sparred Luke Keeler.

Those two middleweights have since shared a two-fight series that has seen Keeler decisively come out on top.

Members of the quiet Immaculata man’s team have called for the Keeler fight but this looks unlikely with the Dubliner set for big bouts in America.

Regardless, there are interesting match-ups at home for Meli who is still only 28.

He outlined how “I’ll start getting to the big time now, hopefully, it’s the plan we’re working on.”

“I’m going to keep working and working, that’s my plan.”

“I’m hoping to get out again soon.”

Liam Williams holds the British title but is not expected to stay around that level for long while Matchroom’s Felix Cash is Commonwealth champ – a title Meli had hoped to fight Sam Sheedy for back in 2016 only to see the clash fall through.

The BBBoC Celtic title is vacant, having not been contested since the debated draw with Cummings and a rematch appeals if the Tyrone boxer elects to fight on.

First though, for Meli, was the challenge of Szabo and the sharp-looking southpaw didn’t waste any time.

“I fix cars even quicker than that though!” he joked after the quick-fire finish.

“I had to make everyone knew I was back, that I wasn’t hiding on you all. The fans stayed by me even though I’ve been missing for a year, that was my own doing. I’m proud of what I’ve done. ”

dpg

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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