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Irish boxing star to become promoter

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One of the biggest Irish fighters in recent years is to become a professional promoter.

Derry’s Eamon O’Kane, who recently retired due to a neck injury, is going to stay in the fight game and the former middleweight will run shows in his adopted hometown of Swindon.

A decorated amateur, O’Kane won Commonwealth gold in 2010 in Delhi, defeating future Olympic medalist Anthony Ogogo in the final. His time in the vested game also saw him defeat George Groves.

Switching to the pros at the relatively advanced age of 29, O’Kane won the All-Irish middleweights Prizefighter in 2012 before losing to John Ryder in a short-notice British title eliminator.

King Kane rebounded to win the Irish title against Anto Fitzgerald in Dundalk in 2013 and would go on to work his way up the rankings before losing in an IBF World title eliminator to Tureano Johnson at Madison Square Garden on the Gennady Golovkin-David Lemieux undercard.

An all-Irish clash with Spike O’Sullivan then looked likely before O’Kane was forced to step away from the ring with neck trouble.

However the the immensely popular and educated Banagher man will now make the move into the business side of the sport.

King Kane Promotions will run their first show in late October or early November in Swindon.

Working in close co-operation with former trainer Paddy Fitzpatrick, O’Kane hopes to pit light heavyweight ‘Sniper’ Sam Smith [3(1)-0] against Swindon rival Kelvin Young [18(2)-6(6)-2].

Cruiserweight Luke ‘The Duke’ Watkins [9(5)-0] is another who will feature on the show as the big man of Jamaican and Wexford descent looks to move into title contention.

The card will also see the debut of another Fitzpatrick fight, Harry ‘The Hunter’ Webb, as well as the continued development of Bristol Tribesman David ‘The Throwback’ Bailey [5(0)-0].

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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