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Declan Geraghty names four-man Irish title shortlist


Dublin super featherweight Declan Geraghty [17(4)-3(2)] wants the Irish title to play a part in his rebuild and claims he would fight Stephen McAfee or Feargal McCrory for free – on the same night – to ensure he gets the belt.

‘Pretty Boy’ still has big ambitions but understands that, having lost to soon-to-be IBF world super featherweight title challenger Jono Carroll in Belfast last June, he has to undergo something of a rebuild.

Geraghty will return to the ring soon in Hungary to rack up a win that would enable title shots – with stablemate and IBO International champion Marco McCullough looking likeliest having seen this match-up fall through last October.

The inner-city southpaw, who has watched the two men to defeat him, Carroll and James Tennyson, secure world title shots, believes his current situation affords him the opportunity to fulfill an Irish title dream.

He may bypass Irish title level once more if he manages to secure a much-mooted fight with Belfast rival McCullough, but suggests that that clash could also be a bout for the green belt – and claims he would like to fight either or both of the two men most recently linked to the super featherweight Irish title.

The EU silver medallist was a bystander as McAfee and McCrory shared words and agreed to fight before ‘Fearless Feargal’, who this week fights Karl Kelly for the vacant lightweight title in the Ulster Hall, had to pull out through injury.

Geraghty claims he is willing to fight either, or even Kelly, who was until recently trained by his father Declan Snr, for the Irish strap if the chance arose.

Indeed, he states that he would fight for free, at either weight, versus both on the same night if he had to, and believes he would be victorious with just one arm at his disposal.

“I want Marco, McAfee, or Feargal – or even Karl Kelly if it had to be,” Geraghty told Irish-Boxing.com.

“If the Marco fight can be made then that for the Irish title would be good too I think.”

“I’d love to fight for the Irish title. I am not sure if get that. MTK might get a ranking title for me, but I always wanted to fight for the Irish title. It would be good to have been an amateur and pro Irish champion,” noted the 28-year-old.

While ‘Pretty Boy’ is flirting with domestic level, he believes he could score bigger titles and feels neither McAfee or McCrory would be able for what he brings to the table.

“I beat McAfee and McCrory on the same night,” professed Geraghty.

“I said before I’d fight them for free on same night for the Irish title. I’d fight one with one arm and the other with the other. No disrespect, but I think I am a level above.”

“I always wanted that title never worked out and I’d fight either for it now if they want. After my fight in Hungary I want titles and the Irish title would be a good start.”

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

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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