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Lewis Taylor delighted to be returning to “friendly and welcoming” Ireland

Some fights don’t need bad blood to sell, and that is exactly the case with the Red Corner Promotions ‘Unfinished Business’ card later this month.

The promotional newcomers run their second show on Saturday February 25th at the National Stadium in Dublin, and are set to put on a brilliant bill-topping fight at the home of Irish boxing.

Luke Keeler, who headlined the first Red Corner card against Bradley Pryce, will face European #12 Lewis Taylor [19(3)-2(0)-1] in what looks to be an evenly-matched eight round fight, but don’t expect much trash talk from either boxer.

The fight looks to be one of the best headline bouts in Dublin for many a year and, given the respective styles, it looks to be a guaranteed exciting clash.

Ballyfermot middleweight Keeler [11(5)-2(1)] is known as being one of the nicest guys in Irish boxing, and the down-to-earth qualified engineer is tipped to be the next face of the sport in Dublin.

Derbyshire’s Taylor however gives ‘Cool Hand’ a run for his money in the nice guy stakes.

The 27 year old former English champion spoke to Irish-Boxing.com about the headline fight and admitted that “from what I have seen and heard, Luke is a good lad. Comes forward, strong, and a bit of a puncher.”

“I am expecting a good hard fight which everyone will enjoy watching and everyone is talking about for a while.”

Taylor, who unsuccessfully challenged for Tommy Langford’s Commonwealth belt last year, is hoping that a win over a relatively recognisable name will propel him into further big fights.

The Dronefield puncher outlined how “I am hoping that beating Luke it will push me up into fighting some big names. I am aiming for the British title but I want to fight named people and get my name out there. People such as John Ryder or to fight Tommy Langford again, just people up there.”

February 25th wont be Taylor’s first visit to Ireland, having fought Eamonn O’Kane in April 2014 in a IBF world title eliminator. That night at the Lavey GAA club he fell to a majority decision (112:116, 113;115, 115:115) and, while he disagreed with the decision, Taylor loved fighting in Ireland.

“Last time I came to Ireland with Eamonn O’Kane was an amazing experience,” he explained. “Everyone in Ireland was so friendly and welcoming. We believe, and many of the Irish that were watching also believed, that I won. I had a lot of praise from all of the home supporters and I believe I came home with many more fans.”

The undercard in Dublin will feature Craig O’Brien, Allan Phelan, Eric Donovan, Chris Blaney, Lynn Harvey, Stevie Collins, Connor Coyle, Jay Byrne, Steve Collins Jr, and debutant Thomas Finnegan.

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography

Tickets for ‘Unfinished Business’ cost €40 (unreserved) and €60 (ringside) and are available from the boxers involved on the bill.

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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