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Luke Keeler rules out Conrad Cummings rematch following Windsor wins


Luke Keeler [15(5)-2(1)-1] has a plan and is going to stick with it.

The Dublin middleweight fought on the big Windsor Park card last Saturday, his first fight since his sensational win over Conrad Cummings back in April.

Since that decisive points win for Keeler, Cummings [14(6)-2(0)-1] has stated his desire for a rematch numerous times but the Ballyfermot boxer has been less keen.

Keeler is looking forward and had stated that his sights were sit on the winner of the British title rematch between Jason Welborn and Tommy Langford on September 8th in Birmingham.

This is still the plan following his eight-round points win over Dwain Grant on Saturday – and Cummings’ impressive comeback domination of Nicky Jenman.

Speaking to IFL TV after his win at the weekend, Keeler ruled out the rematch.

“Look, it wasn’t a close fight,” he stated. Me and the team are looking past that at the moment.”

“If he strings wins together it could happen down the line but at the moment we’re looking past that.”

“If it was a close fight it would warrant a rematch but I won comfortably, even with the cuts,” added the Pete Taylor-trained fighter referencing the horrific slashes he suffered around his eyes during their meeting.

Reiterating his preferred next step, Keeler outlined how “I hope to get the winner of the British title, Jason Welborn and Tommy Langford, I’d love the winner of that next and to keep progressing.”

In terms of his fight on Saturday, a WBO European title defence fell through and Keeler instead fought an eight rounder, outpointing Dwain Grant 79-73.

Somewhat under the radar, ‘Cool Hand Luke’ was happy with the chance to develop ahead of bigger fights and nights.

The 31-year-old described how “it was an awkward opponent. It was a great eight rounds learning.”

“I wobbled him and hurt him a couple of times but he was dropping the head and surviving. I need to learn to deal with them so it was another learning fight – if I got him out of there in a round or two you don’t develop.”

“I’ll look back at the footage and learn and progress. I’m learning every camp with Pete. I’m enjoying working and learning, I’m happy going into the next fight.”

Watch IFL TV’s interview with Luke Keeler in full below:

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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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