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“Jono knows I’m a better boxer” – Declan Geraghty predicts he will rise above Carroll


It may have taken a little longer than originally expected but Jono Carroll v Declan Geraghty 2 will see the cream eventually rise to the top this June 30th claims ‘Pretty Boy’ himself.

Geraghty [17(4)-2(1)] will finally get the chance to get revenge over his fellow Dub in a rematch of the 2014 Irish Fight of the Year on what is shaping up to be a sensational Michael Conlan undercard -and, almost four years on, he is confident he can avenge a fourth-round disqualification ‘Return of the Mack’ defeat.

READ: Carroll Geraghty rematch is now bigger than ever

The two-weight senior champion was thrown out of his initial bout against his Finglas-Dunshaughlin rival Carroll [15(2)-0] and has been calling for a rematch ever since.

The Dublin duo have been linked constantly and have developed the biggest domestic grudge since Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan and Anthony Fitzgerald.

They were scheduled to settle their differences last year on the Frampton Homecoming card but Geraghty pulled out with a hand injury which Team Carroll still dispute.

The back and forth that followed only whet the rematch appetite further and fans will be delighted with confirmation the super-featherweights will meet again for Carroll’s IBF Inter-Continental title on the undercard of Michael Conlan’s big homecoming at the SSE Odyssey Arena.

Geraghty, who is trained by his father Declan Snr, is certainly excited claiming Carroll is his dream opponent and predicting he emerge victorious.

“I’ve always wanted this,” he stated.

“If you gave me the chance to fight anyone, I’d pick him. Some label this as the biggest rivalry Ireland’s seen. I don’t know if it is but it’s big.”

“The cream always rises to the top. Jono knows I’m a better boxer than him. He’ll say I don’t have his heart but you don’t have to fight when you’re a supreme boxer. I proved my heart anyway in the James Tennyson fight. I kept getting up.

“It’s definitely something I always wanted but it’s not like my whole career revolves around him. His doesn’t revolve around me either. It’s just a good fight but it’s a fight I’ll win.

“If the IBF offered me a world title fight the next night then I’d take it. Not many people in the world are blessed with my talent. I’m a gifted boxer.”

Carroll came into the first fight as a relative unknown. Having fought just twice in Australia and with little profile most predicted the former elite amateur would outbox ‘John-Joe’ – as Eddie Hearn mistakenly called him – on the 2014 Matchroom show.

However, ‘King Kong’ beat his chest throughout the build up and used the media – and this site in particular- to goad his skilled rival into a war.

The tactic worked as Carroll eventually had his hand raised, went on to win Prizefighter and now has an IBF belt and ranking as well as – thanks to Sky and BT dates – a higher profile than ‘Pretty Boy’.

Geraghty is adamant he won’t let emotion play a role this time around and is promising a business-like performance.

WATCH: Irish Fight of the Year 2014 – Geraghty Carroll I

“I’ve got a chance to right the wrongs but there’ll be no emotion. This is a business.”

Also confirmed on a colossal card for Irish boxing is Tyrone McKenna v Phil Sutcliffe Jr, Paddy Gallagher v Gary Corcoran, Tyrone McCullagh v Joe Ham as well as an all-British bout between Lewis Benson v Johnny Coyle.

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

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