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Going out in style – Jay Byrne promising one final title hurrah


Although, just like ‘Boyz II Men’, Jay Byrne finds it hard to let go, he suggests he comes to the ‘end of the road’ in Scotland tomorrow night – and what better way to go out than with a big BBBoC Celtic title win.

‘The Negotiator’ has flirted with retirement in the past and admits an interesting offer might tempt him back – most likely one that gives him the chance to fulfill his Irish title dream – but claims Scottish light middleweight Marc Kerr will be the last opponent of a quickfire, but significant career in terms of Irish boxing.

The 32-year-old has has been juggling fighting, managing fighters, work, running his own gym, and family life of late, but this delicate balance can only continue for so long and he points out that he has to hang up the gloves for the sake of his wife and two daughters.

“As it stands, this is the end of the road for me as a fighter,” Byrne [7(2)-6(2)] told Irish-Boxing.com ahead of his fight at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow tomorrow night on a Kynoch Boxing show.

“Look, in saying that if I am offered a fight that interests me and makes me want to get back training and miss my three ladies at home then I’ll discuss and make sure it’s worthwhile,” he caveated before detailing his busy recent schedule.

“I’ve been in camp pretty much since July as I was preparing for the Kerr fight and he got injured and then I jumped into the Paddy Gallagher fight. Then it was straight back into this.”

“My girls need their daddy more and to start everyday at 5:45am and not end it till 7pm due to full-time training and a very professional job 9-5 takes a lot from my family life.”

If this is to be Byrne’s last fight he plans to go out in style and with a real bang.

The Dubliner has a chance to add the British Boxing Board of Control’s Celtic 154lbs title to the one BUI Celtic title he already won in Glasgow. He faces Glaswegian Kerr [12(1)-1(0)] and fancies his chances.

The manager of Lynn Harvey, Karl Kelly, Eddie Tracey, and Martin Wall is feeling confident ahead of a fight with a come-forward slugger rather than a back-foot slickster.

The Loughlinstown man outlined how “I’m mentally and physically perfect and yet another excellent camp in which I sparred great and done the weight, as always, perfectly, coming back up from welter.”

“Marc is a good guy, looks like he works hard and is a committed guy, and comes from similar boxing past as myself – however, I feel I’m better than him and I will show this on the night.”

“I won’t predict [a result] as I don’t know enough about Marc and a performance at the top of my game will be enough as this guy ain’t a superstar Olympian or Commonwealth medallist,” he added before revealing that he is bringing a sizeable support with him to the dinner show.

Byrne notes how “in my last couple of outings in Scotland I have gained some support and that really helps but for this one I have over 30 coming over and I’m really, really looking forward to this one.”

Continuing on the last stand theme, Byrne feels a goodbye title win would be the perfect send-off and add to his legacy.

The Dubliner described how “winning any recognized title means a massive amount to me as, remember, when I started, I wanted to win ‘a’ fight – now I’m entering my fifth title fight in 12 months.”

“So, whether winning or not, this is the top of the game that I only could dream of.”

“I really would just love to bring him the belt for the girls as they would then have one each.”

“After this who knows what’s next, but this is planned as the final hurrah and I really want go out in style and be remembered as a winner not just a lad who came up short all the time.”

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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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