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Luke Keeler eyes British Champion ahead of Windsor Park fight


Luke Keeler [14(5)-2(1)-1] is ready to take another step on his road to the top and already has his next few fights mapped out.

The Dublin middleweight will box next Saturday night [August 18th] at Windsor Park in Belfast, featuring on the Carl Frampton v Luke Jackson undercard, live on BT Sport.

Initially slated to be defending the WBO European rankings title he sensationally won versus Conrad Cummings, who also appears on the card, back in April, it is now unclear whether this belt will be on the line next weekend.

Regardless, Keeler is keen to claim an eye-catching win over his to-be-confirmed opponent before turning his attention to the British champion.

The Ballyfermot boxer knows the scale of the occasion, and believes the football stadium fight night offers him the perfect platform to progress his career.

“This is a huge event,” he noted. “When it’s over, you look back on your career and to be part of a stadium show with Frampton, Fury and all on it, it’s amazing.”

“There’s huge interest in this already and it’s not even fight week yet. It’s a massive occasion and I think the viewing figures will be huge. Just to be a part of it is huge for my career.”

The British title is currently held by Jason Welborn [23(7)-6(3)] but this could change in the coming weeks.

The West Midlands fighter scored a shock split-decision win over Tommy Langford [20(6)-2(1)] back in May and rematches the same opponent next month on the Amir Khan v Samuel Vargas undercard.

Keeler has eyes on whoever emerges victorious and outlined how “after this, I’m hoping to get another big fight in November – perhaps against the winner of Tommy Langford v Jason Welborn – so it’s exciting times for me.”

Currently ranked #13 with the WBO and enjoying the fruits of finally being a full-time professional, Keeler wants to keep building and improving and even has eyes on the brown belt currently held by managerial stablemate Billy Joe Saunders.

Englishman Saunders, who won the title off Andy Lee, defends the strap in Boston on October 20th versus Demetrius Andrade on a card featuring Katie Taylor.

Keeler is confident he can reach this level of the sport and reasoned how “I’ve improved so much and I’ve been making technical adjustments to improve again for this fight. I’m just getting better and better because I’ve got some rhythm in my career now.”

“World level is where I want to be and I certainly have an eye in the direction of the champions like Billy Joe Saunders.”

“In two or three fights’ time I plan to be not just capable of challenging champions like Saunders, but winning against them.”

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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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