Dee Walsh: This is my mini world title shot

SUCH are the aspirations and confidence levels of Dee Walsh that when he compares his Irish title challenge to a World title fight you know he isn’t suggesting domestic level is the highest level he can reach.

Indeed the the Belfast light middleweight has previously indicated he wants to be a world ruler in his division, but comparing the green strap to the boxing pinnacle does highlight just how important his November 22 clash with Terry Maughan is both personally and professionally.

Collecting the strap would not only prove the stuff of dreams for the 24 year old, but it should provide him with the chance to move beyond prospect level and gain serious momentum.

“This is a mini world title shot for me,” said Walsh when speaking to Irish-boxing.com.

“To think this time last year when I wasn’t boxing and I didn’t know what to be doing with myself. Now I am on the verge of 9 and 0 with the chance to claim an Irish title. It is a dream come true and I’m going grab the chance with both hands.”

However, in typical Walsh fashion he was keen to state that despite it being the realisation of a dream being crowned king of the Irish light middleweights will prove step on a long title journey.

“I went to my promoter Mark Dunlop’s house last week and we were talking about my career and believe me this is only going to be the start of a big journey for me and I’m loving it!

The tilt completes a massive turn around for a boxer that retired in 2012 somewhat disillusioned with the business side of the game. If he hadn’t of taken a nigh on two year sabbatical ‘Waldo’ might have already collected a title most recently held by Lee Murtagh and Peter McDonagh, but he believes the timing has proved perfect.

“When I think about it it is perfect timing. I am going to take the training and momentum from being active of late into this fight, eat cleaner and train even harder and get the win. 

“This will be my first ten rounder. I’ll be ready not just to do the ten rounds but do 10 at the hardest pace. In sparring I even have super heavyweights coming at me, so by the time of the fight I will be well and truly ready,” he added before admitting he new nothing of opponent Maughan. 

“To be honest I know little about him. I don’t really wanna know anything about my opponents, I just focus on myself. My stable mate Joe Hillerby(former Irish light middleweight title challenger) said he boxed on the same card as him once and that’s all I know. I’m 100% confident going into every fight. I believe in my abilities that much and I will win on November 22.”

Walsh has a sizeable core following and he is delighted to be bringing them the chance to support him in a title fight.

“The atmosphere at my fights are always the best on the night, I’m from St James on the Falls Road, growing up all we talked about was fighting, so everyone gets behind me when I fight because I’m representing them.”