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Gethins to bring boxing to Sligo for the first time in 100 years

Aaron Gethins [2-0] looks set to bring professional boxing back to Sligo for the first time in over a century.

The Sligo native officially signed with Boxing Ireland, the promotional company of which Leonard Gunning of the same county is central to, after he weighed in for this second pro bout on Friday last.

The pair seem a natural fit with Gethins happy to build from home and Boxing Ireland the most prolific promoters outside of Belfast on in Ireland.

The promoters behind the Celtic Clash have primarily worked out of Dublin, but have worked on shows in Waterford and Belfast of late.

Indeed, they introduced a host of new names to Belfast on a very successful Celtic Clash 8 card on Saturday night and are debating whether to visit Newry or return to Waterford next.

What is certain is they will bring boxing to Sligo next year. Whilst announcing the signing of Gethins, a young talent who did impressive tickets for a Mayo hosted debut last November, Boxing Ireland confirmed the Western county was on the agenda for next year.

Interestingly the move could see them look to recruit more talent from that area of the country and fighters from the likes of Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and even Donegal may take note.

Speaking before his Castlebar debut the Tony Davitt trained 19 year old predicted a sell out if he was to fight at home.

“If I had a show in Sligo there is no doubt it would be sold out,” the welterweight southpaw, who beat Naheem Chaudry on Saturday said.

“The whole of Sligo would be there.”

The regional show has become a thing of popularity of late and it seems a genuine solution to the extreme costs of running a show in Dublin.

Shows in Waterford and Mayo were ticket selling successes last year, a Cork date has been set for this Summer and there has been talk of Waterford again as well as tentative talk of places like Kildare, Limerick and Newry.

dpg

 

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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