Headline News

Massive London headline fight confirmed for Luke Keeler


Luke Keeler [15(5)-2(1)-1] has had a massive fight confirmed for the end of the year.

It has been announced that the Dublin middleweight will face former 154lbs world title challenger Brian Rose [29(8)-5(3)-1] at the York Hall in London on Friday December 14th.

The clash headlines a BoxNation bill at the famous Bethnal Green venue and Keeler will defend the WBO European 160lbs rankings belt and #13-rating won from Conrad Cummings back in April for the first time.

The highest-profile opponent of the 31-year-old Ballyfermot boxer’s career, the bout gives Keeler a chance to impress in what will be his fifth headline slot as a pro – but, by far, the biggest.

33-year-old Rose last fought in March 2017 when he was outpointed by Jack Arnfield. Ahead of the Keeler fight he will face journeyman Alistair Warren in a warm-up at the Victoria Warehouse in Manchester on November 9th.

A familiar foe for Irish fans, Rose was edged by Matthew Macklin in what ended up being the Tipp-Brummie’s last fight. Previously a British light middleweight champion, Rose would challenge then-WBO champion Demetrius Andrade in 2014 where he was completely dominated and stopped in seven rounds.

Following the dominant break-out win over Cummings, Keeler was due for a big fight on the Frampton-Jackson card at Windsor Park in August but licencing issues for his proposed opponent saw ‘Cool Hand Luke’ face journeyman Dwain Grant over eight rounds instead.

The card in eight weeks time also includes a light welterweight clash between Riiddy Brown and Johnny Coyle and a welterweight match-up of Larry Ekundayo and Louis Greene.

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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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