Jono Carroll to go for second IBF belt on big Belfast bill

Any recent disappointments for Jono Carroll [14(1)-0] will be made up for this Saturday when he goes for his second professional belt in Belfast.

The Dunshaughlin super featherweight was due to defend his IBF East/West Europe belt in a grudge rematch with Declan Geraghty on the ‘Frampton Reborn’ card at the SSE Odyssey Arena.

Geraghty however would withdraw with a hand injury, leaving Carroll with a spell of uncertainty as fight night drew ever-closer.

Thankfully though, this week, a new opponent – and a new title – has been confirmed for ‘King Kong.’

Former Prizefighter winner Carroll will now face Mexican Humberto De Santiago [15(11)-4(0)-1] for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental title this weekend.

The 24 year old built his record on the dog-eat-dog Mexican circuit where he won the WBC FECOMBOX title before travelling to Australia to take on unbeaten world-ranked contender Luke Jackson earlier this year. De Santiago was beaten in a competitive bout in September and, following a comeback win in October, returns to the ring here at the weight above.

25 year old Carroll is ranked #14 in the IBF’s second tier Inter-Continental rankings following his title win over Johnny Quigley in Belfast in June – and a win at the weekend will see him pick up the belt and a Top 15 World ranking with the body.

Carroll has been training under Danny Vaughan in Glasgow the past few months alongside Paddy Barnes and Jamie Conlan, who fights for the IBF world super flyweight title on Saturday.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)