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Clear World title path opens up for Steve Ormond

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Clondalkin lightweight Stephen Ormond [24(13)-3(1)] knows defeat tonight will end any hope he has of becoming a World champion before he retires.

The 34 year old, who most suggest had the ability if the not the opportunity or luck needed to reach World level, takes on the dangerous and hungry Craig Evans [16(3)-1(0)-2] in Belfast and has openly admitted he is entertaining now or never territory.

WBO European champion Evans is ranked #9 with the organisation and recently had a high profile trilogy with Tom Stalker. The southpaw is being built up by Frank Warren as an in-house title defence for WBO champion Terry Flanagan.

Therefore, while he knows defeat against the tough Welshman will bring, Ormond claims he also knows how close victory will leave him to a coveted World title shot.

At first glance the Dubliner seems a little bit off tilt, but ‘The Rock’ confirms he has been shown future plans by MTK that leave him confident he is within touching distance.

“I have said it already but this is a must win. I know that and I have made sure I am in the best shape possible for this fight,” he told Irish-Boxing.com ahead of his challenge for the same belt he once held.

“I know I can’t afford to lose and I know it’s going to be a tough fight. But I also know what can happen if I win. The team have a plan in place and if I win from what I have been told I will be close to a World title fight.

“I hope to have an eliminator next and then finally it will be my turn to fight for a World title.”

Terry Flanagan, who beat Ormond in an eliminator after the Clondalkin puncher was disqualified, is the current custodian of the WBO World title. A rematch has been mooted and it seems due to both’s links with Frank Warren that is one of those ‘easy to make’ matches.

However, when questioned whether that was the reason behind his eventual tilt confidence he claims a rematch with ‘Turbo’ is a non starter, but Flanagan will open a pathway for Ormond to challenge.

“Terry rang me to spar and I turned him down at first because I wanted a rematch. I told him I wanted to fight him so I couldn’t, but he said he was after the big names and big money so he wouldn’t be fighting me.”

“I talk to him often enough and he says he is going to go up in weight too. That frees up that title and from what I have been told I will get a chance at it when he does.”

Photo Credit:Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

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