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Dylan Moran ignoring call-outs – for now – as he aims to seize TV opportunity


Dylan Moran [7(5)-0] is a name that is on the lips of a number of Irish welters but the Waterford man argues he has more pressing matters at present.

The Kilmacthomas prospect boxes on the Assassin Promotions ‘Homecoming’ card at the Royal Theatre in Mayo on Friday December 7th and his six-round bout will feature live on terrestrial TV

An all-Waterford fight with former clubmate Rohan Daté has been put forward for the WIT Arena next year while, if Keane McMahon had his wish, the pair would headline ‘Celtic Clash 8’.

READ: Rohan Daté calls out Dylan Moran

READ: Keane McMahon calls out Dylan Moran

Moran, though, wants to focus on his fight in Castlebar which features prominently on the undercard of Ray Moylette’s vacant WBC International rankings title fight versus Mexican Christian Uruzquieta.

The Déise youngster explained to Irish-Boxing.com how “things are all a bit up in the air at the minute with Rohan [Daté] and Keane McMahon – I’m just going to take things one step at a time.”

“The last few weeks have all been ‘are you fighting this fella?’, ‘are you fighting that fella?’, I just need to focus on Mayo.”

“I will fight them all in the end but they’re all ahead of what’s happening now and it’s very easy to get distracted as well. I’m just going to stay in the gym and stay concentrated on myself,” he added before admitting that it is not always easier – although a TV opportunity certainly helps!

Moran continued: “When Rohan and all that stuff is coming into my head I just try to block it out because I’m going to be live on the telly, I’ve Mayo to get through, and I just believe that you’re only as good as your last fight, one punch can change a fight.”

“I can’t be looking past people, I don’t look past anyone, no-one, no matter what their record is, a fight is a fight and, whoever they put in the ring with me in Mayo, I’ll be ready for it.”

“Next year, I need get the big fights, that’s what I’m in it for,” he added before expressing his delight at featuring on a TV card alongside the likes of Moylette and Spike O’Sullivan.

“It’s crazy,” said Moran. I’ve followed Spike for years, I looked up to Spike, I still look up to Spike. When I was only a kid, amateur boxing, whenever Spike was fighting in Ireland, me and my dad were there.”

“When the lads sent me the poster I just went ‘fucking hell, Da, look at this!’ and then they texted me to say I’d be on the television… aww man.”

In terms of the fight next weekend, Moran is keen for a proper test following a run of stoppages.

“Hopefully a big fight,” said ‘The Real Deal’

“I’ve been speaking to the lads [Assassin] about it and they’re trying.”

“Without a doubt [I want a tough opponent] – I sparred Davey Oliver Joyce recently and, when I got out of the ring, Steven [O’Rourke, coach] and my Dad said ‘if we could get what just went on there and put it on the telly!’ but it doesn’t work like that.”

“The better the opposition, the better the Dylan Moran, that’s how it works,” he added before detailing his need for ring experience.

The former kickboxing star outlined how “hopefully we get a good guy and we get the six rounds in, I need the rounds as well, that’s the reality of it. I’ve only been four rounds twice. I’ve got no experience, really, when you think about it.”

“There’s a big difference in getting your arse off the stool in rounds six, seven, and eight, and I don’t want to jump into it, I want to get a few sturdy six rounders in before these big fights. I want to do things the right way.”

‘The right way’ will, Moran hopes, culminate in him headlining a TG4-aired show in his home city next year.

Assassin have revealed they are in talks for four further shows on the channel in 2019 and Moran knows he has a big opportunity to impress on December 7th.

READ: More TG4 boxing shows in 2019?

The St Paul’s graduate outlined how “I’ve spoken to Kaz [Evans, Assassin Promotions boss] about it. Timing is everything but the demand is there to see me fighting in Waterford, there’s no denying that.”

“I’ll stay away from Waterford early next year, get the fights in that I need to, then hopefully I’ll be fighting for the belt that Ray is fighting for in Waterford.”

“That’s what I’m visualising when I do look past Mayo, that’s what’s down the line.”

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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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