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Derry déjà vu for Steve Ormond ahead of make-or-break Evans clash

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Steve Ormond [24(13)-3(1)] has a sense of déjà vu going into his big fight this weekend.

The Dubliner faces champion Craig Evans at the Waterfront Hall in Belfast this Saturday, live on BoxNation, as he bids to win back the WBO European title and kick-start one last bid for world honours.

A make-or-break fight, Ormond approaches the bout feeling like he did in the build up to the biggest win of his career.

Back in December 2013 Ormond would travel to Liverpool, to defend the same belt he challenges for on Saturday, and pulled off an upset win against Derry Mathews, outworking and overwhelming the Scouser.

Everything went right that night, but since then a lot of things have gone wrong.

A postponed fight with Terry Flanagan would see an out-of-sorts Ormond disqualified, a world title final eliminator with Alejandro Luna would fall through as he missed weight, and a shock knockout loss to Zoltan Szabo seemed to have ‘The Rock’ down and out.

However, three wins on the spin, including revenge over Szabo, has Ormond in high spirits, and he goes into Saturday’s fight feeling refreshed and ready to mess up Frank Warren’s plans once again.

It will be Ormond’s first time attempting to hit the 135lbs limit since the disastrous Luna affair last Summer but, rather than being a worry, the process has given the Dubliner confidence.

Ormond told Irish-Boxing.com that “I’ve done it over eight weeks, so I’ll make it easy. I’m literally almost on weight, it’s pouring off me. I’m walking around four pounds over [note: interview conducted yesterday afternoon]. That’s where I want to be.”

“When I made weight against Derry Mathews, this was the way I was, the same way.”

“I think they’re underestimating me, they haven’t seen the real me in years. They’re going by [the] Terry Flanagan [fight], the loss where I was disqualified. I’m a different fighter now. I was a different fighter even that night. If I wasn’t it would have been a different story.”

“He’s with Frank [Warren], and they’re pushing him, BoxNation – I’ve been there before, I don’t give a f*ck to be honest.”

At 34 years old, it really is last chance saloon for Ormond, and he is okay with these stakes.

“I’m more hungry than ever, I’ve done everything possible in training so no excuses,” he proclaimed.

“I need to win, I’m putting pressure on myself because I know Craig’s a good lad, I respect him, and he’s champion.”

“He’s a nice lad, nothing against him – but I know, if I put it together in the ring at the right time I will do the job.

“I’m more prepared for this fight than any other fight, so no excuses.”

LISTEN: Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill speak to Luke Keeler and Paddy Barnes on Episode 6 of The Irish Boxing Show:

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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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