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Big Dublin derby confirmed for Celtic Clash 4


An all-Irish fight which has been talked about for months has been finally signed, sealed, and will be delivered by the end of the year.

Balbriggan welterweight Crank Whitehouse [7(2)-0] will face Loughlinstown’s Jay Byrne [5(1)-3(1)] for the BUI Celtic title.

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The fight will take place on the ‘Celtic Clash 4’ card at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday December 2nd, acting as co-headliner alongside Eric Donovan’s BUI Celtic featherweight title defence against Juancho Gonzalez.

Back-and-forths had taken place between the two fighters earlier this year and a scrap on the Celtic Clash 2 bill had been mooted. The fight would not come to fruition then, but will now finally take place at the home of Irish boxing in just under six weeks time.

22 year old Whitehouse, managed by the event’s co-promoter Tony Davitt, has won thrice over the past year – outpointing game Spaniard Sergio Abad, Gabor Kovacs, and stopping Gergo Vari.

The European Schoolboys bronze medalist stepped up to eight versus Vari – although went less than four – and has been calling for a domestic fight for months now.

Byrne has also beaten Abad, as well as fighting on three big Sky Shows against top prospects Felix Cash, Josh Kelly, and Anthony Fowler.

One of Ireland’s busiest pros, the last twelve months have also seen the Dublin 31 year old beat journeyman Sandor Jozsa and Daniel Przewieslik.

‘The Negotiator’ had been due to box on the big Belfast bill at the weekend, but was forced to pull out following a mandatory stoppage suspension incurred after his loss to Fowler.

Before the fight, Byrne will box in a comeback four rounder on an MTK Scotland dinner show on Friday November 3rd.

Former BUI Celtic 147lbs champion Noely Murphy [12(2)-0] has vacated the belt, which he won against Avelino Vazquez in February, ahead of big fights in America early next year.

Celtic Clash 4 will also feature John Joyce, Jake Hanney, Anto Cacace, Stephen McAfee, Michael Gallagher, James Cahill, Martin Quinn, Dylan McDonagh, Craig O’Brien, Colin O’Donovan, Thomas Finnegan, Niall O’Connor, and headliner Crank Whitehouse.

Tickets for the bill costing €30, €40, €60, and €100 go on sale this week and will be available from the fighters involved or from Ticketmaster.

A limited number of U-16s tickets are also available at €15 (Must be bought alongside adult ticket).

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography

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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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