Headline News

New Belfast show confirmed – Huge all-Irish headline fight


Thee has been a new addition to the Irish boxing calendar this morning.

The start of a new week has seen the announcement of a new show as we move towards summer and we will once again return to Belfast for a big bill at the Ulster Hall.

It has been confirmed that the famous old venue will play host to its fourth show this year on Friday June 21st.

The bill will be another from the #MTKFightNight series, the third of which to play out in Ireland and the Ulster Hall this year.

Headlining the bill is a vacant WBC International light welterweight title fight between Dubliner Darragh Foley [17(9)-3(0)-1] and Belfast home favourite Tyrone McKenna [18(6)-1(0)-1].

The fight for a belt previously held by Ricky Hatton, Paulie Malignaggi, and Miguel Cotto, pits two of Ireland’s most confident boxers, both southpaws, against each other and will likely provide the winner with a spot in the WBC Top 15 and a first step towards champion Jose Ramirez.

Indeed, with champion Ramirez being promoted by Top Rank – and with the U.S. giant being tangentially involved in this card which will be aired on the ESPN+ app in America – the winner on June 21st could be in line for big things.

MTK Global Professional Development Coordinator and former world title challenger Jamie Conlan said “what a night this is going to be. We have two proud warriors knowing that victory will propel them on to world level.”

“As well as the guarantee of entertainment in the ring on the night itself, I’m also looking forward to a great build-up between two of Irish boxing’s biggest characters.”

“We’re delighted to be back at Ulster Hall yet again. This will be our third visit to the historic venue in quick succession and long may the tradition of the cream of Irish boxing fighting there continue.”

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The card will not be televised in Ireland or the UK but will be available to watch on YouTube.

No undercard bouts have been confirmed so far – although boxers who are NOT featuring on the May 17th card at the same venue would be a safe bet. These include Newtownabbey light heavy Steven Ward who scored a win at the weekend in London and looks set for a title fight.

The bill becomes the fourth upcoming Belfast show as Irish boxing gears up for a sensational summer.

First there is the aforementioned bill headlined by Ryan Burnett and featuring a super featherweight clash between Marco McCullough and Declan Geraghty before ‘Summer Brawl’ at the Europa Hotel on Saturday May 18th and ‘Celtic Clash 8’ at the Devenish Venue on May .25th

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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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