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Cathy McAleer on “collision course” with new Matchroom starlet


Mark Dunlop is targeting new Matchroom fighter Shannon Courtney for Belfast’s Cathy McAleer.

Bantamweight McAleer [2(0)-0] moves up to six rounds on the MHD show at the Europa Hotel next month and the promoter believes that the high-profile English boxer is a more than attainable target.

On the May 18th ‘Summer Brawl’ show, 40-year-old McAleer will take on game Romanian Cristina Busuioc over six rounds.

The same fighter was Courtenay’s debut opponent last month on the Edwards-Moreno undercard at the Copper Box, live on Sky Sports, and Dunlop hopes that his fighter can make a statement against their common foe.

The Belfast fight boss explained how “numbers are small in Cathy’s division and with the right fights at the right time everything will be possible as she chases her dream.”

“Cathy is heading for a collision with the Matchroom starlet herself and will be looking to do a better job which will hopefully raise a few eyebrows.”

“She has picked up valuable experience in her first two contests and she’s well aware that she will need it in the tasks that are ahead of her.”

With Dunlop sharing a strong working relationship with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom and the pool being small in this part of the world, the fight with 25-year-old Courtenay certainly seems a realistic goal.

The formerly obese 40-a-day smoker who transformed her life through boxing is now working with Adam Booth alongside Belfast stars Ryan Burnett and Mick Conlan.

Watford’s ‘Baby Face Assassin’ fights for a second time this Saturday night at the O2 Arena in London on the Allen-Browne undercard where she faces a to-be-confirmed opponent over four rounds.

McAleer, who trains under legendary Belfast coach John Breen, is looking to take a relative fast-track to the top having enjoyed great success in karate, kickboxing, and mixed martial arts.

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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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