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Connor Coyle faced with change of opponent for UFC Fight Pass headline clash


Connor Coyle [8(3)-0] will have to deal with a change of opponent for his first fight of 2019.

The Derry middleweight returns to the ring next weekend in a step-up following a 2018 where he was restricted to just one fight.

28-year-old Coyle headlines a Roy Jones Jr-promoted card on Saturday February 16th at the St Petersburg Coliseum in Florida that will be shown live on UFC FIGHT PASS – a platform with around a half a million subscribers.

Initially due to face Mexican Oscar Cortez [27(14)-3(3)], it has now been confirmed that Coyle will instead take on Louisiana veteran Travis Scott [19(5)-4(2)] in what will be his first ten rounder.

A pro almost 15 years, Scott initially fought mainly out of his home town of Baton Rouge but has gone on the road in recent years, losing his three most recent fights to undefeated opposition.

In 2016 he was edged out on a majority decision by Morgan Fitch who would go on to box in the Contender. In 2017 he was stopped in the eighth by Murphys Boxing’s Greg Vendetti before, in 2018, he was taken out in two by U.S. Olympian Charles Conwell.

Injuries and scheduling meant Commonwealth bronze medallist Coyle fought just once in 2018 when, in June, he stopped the game Danny Pastrana in six rounds to claim the NBA Inter-Continental title.

Coyle was then due to fight in October for the ABF Continental Americas belt but was forced to pull out due to a painful back inflammation.

‘The Kid’ is currently out in Florida rounding off camp under top trainer Jim McLoughlin where he is getting top sparring in with Golden Boy’s unbeaten Brazilian contender Yamaguchi Falcao.

Coyle explained how “not being able to do what I love for a long time, I am now more hungry than ever and I’m ready to make a step forward and a step up in my professional career.”

Chief support next week sees light welter William Silva take on Juan Ramon Solis while there will also be appearances from Mark Reyes, Javonn Barnes, Amron Sands, Jasmon Artiga, and Antonio Tarver Jr.

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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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