Headline News

Irish title light heavyweight title eliminator called


The Boxing Union of Ireland have sanctioned a BUI Celtic light heavyweight title fight.

The Irish governing body have authorised recent Irish title challenger Stevie Collins [10(4)-1(0)-1] to face Bristol-Galway fighter David Bailey [6(1)-0].

The winner of this fight will be in line to box two-time Irish champion Paddy McDonagh [11(0)-2(0)]. Parties have until Friday October 6th to agree a deal, after which purse bids will be called if necessary.

Collins lost a points decision to McDonagh in a vacant title fight in Dublin in July. Since then he has signed a management deal with Mack The Knife Global and has moved trainers from uncle Paschal Collins at the Celtic Warriors Gym in Corduff to Steven O’Rourke at St Michael’s Inchicore.

‘The Wolfhound’ will have his first fight with his new team next weekend, boxing on the Ginley Promotions show at The Devenish Complex in Belfast on Saturday September 16th.

‘The Throwback’ Bailey is trained and managed by Paddy Fitzpatrick in Swindon. The Ennis coach also looks after the career of Irish cruiserweight champion Luke Watkins.

Thus far in his career Bailey has only gone as far as four rounds. His sole six rounder, his last fight back in April, was ended in the first via knockout.

Collins and Bailey are third and fourth in the Irish rankings respectively. In second spot is Navan New Yorker Seanie Monaghan. Belfast light heavy Steven Ward is, at the moment, classed as a cruiserweight.

Champion McDonagh, of Mullingar, fights on Saturday October 7th, taking on Nigerian knockout artist Sunday Ajuwa in a non-title eight-rounder at the National Stadium on the Red Corner Promotions ‘Champions Elect’ bill.

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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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