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Conrad Cummings open to Darren Cruise clash


Conrad Cummings is up for it.

The Coalisland middleweight was called out yesterday by Darren Cruise for an all-Irish clash on the massive Carl Frampton Windsor Park undercard on August 18th.

Cruise [8(2)-6(0)] felt he offers what would be perceived as the perfect comeback opponent for Cummings [13(6)-2(0)-1] who is rebuilding following his WBO European title loss to Luke Keeler in April.

Cummings was beat on points by the Dubliner at the SSE Odyssey Arena and Cruise has noted how he performed better versus Keeler in his one-point Irish title loss last year.

The Roscommon fighter put his arguments forward in an interview with Irish-Boxing.com (READ HERE) and Tyrone’s Cummings has responded positively.

The 27-year-old said on social media that his management outfit “MTK Global are working on my next fight but if he [Cruise] wants it, he can get it!”

Cummings is back ticking over now in Belfast with Carl Frampton and Steven Ward following his recent defeat.

The Jamie Moore-trained fighter took time to re-evaluate following the decisive loss, stating that “I’ve had some time to reflect. I’m still absolutely gutted – not just that I lost but because I know I can perform much, much better than that.”

“Boxing is a game of percentages and that was not my 100%.”

The Ulster fighter had suggested a rematch with Keeler though this was dismissed by the Ballyfermot boxer who also looks likely to feature on the Frampton Windsor Park undercard. With a rematch off the table, a fight with a former Keeler opponent and a chance to better the Dub’s result seems to appeal.

Cruise was defeated by Keeler by a point last Summer for the Irish title, his second single-digit reverse for the green belt following a 2016 defeat to super middleweight champion JJ McDonagh. He made his return under new coach Eddie Hyland in December but has been kept out of the ring since due to work commitments.

The Castlerea soldier is keen for the Irish title to be on the line again in any Cummings fight – although licencing issues may prevent this.

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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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