Niall Kennedy misses out on clash with top U.S. prospect but secures fight date
It has emerged that Niall Kennedy [12(7)-0-1] was due to face a top undefeated prospect in his next contest but the fight has fallen through.
Today Kennedy and his team revealed that they had agreed to step into the away corner and take on young heavyweight prospect Darmani Rock on the big Matchroom USA card at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia on Friday March 15th.
Tevin Farmer tops the bill in a defence of his IBF super featherweight title versus Dubliner Jono Carroll while Wicklow’s Katie Taylor seeks to add the WBO lightweight belt to the IBF and WBA titles already in her possession when she takes on Rose Volante.
Mullingar super feather John Joe Nevin adds further Irish flavour to the bill and, it seems, Kennedy was also in line for a slot.
However, the fight with Rock will not be taking place due to unspecified reasons – although coach and manager Paschal Collins claims that it has been postponed to a later day.
@niallbaskennedy was Due to meet Undefeated Prospect & Former World Amateur champion @Darmani_rock on the @MatchroomBoxing card in Philidelphia on March 15th ! Fight is postponed to a later Date ! On the upside ! thank you @KenDKM will have Niall fight in Boston in March ☘ pic.twitter.com/of8EJrkHED
— Packie Collins (@packycollins) February 16, 2019
Very unfortunate news dat I wont get 2 box on same card as d champ & 1 of nicest people in sport @KatieTaylor in Philadelphia, proposed fight fell tru disappointed as good 5 weeks into camp but iv a healthy happy family so I’m blessed @KenDKM @packycollins @EddieHearn #mj
— Niall Kennedy Boxer (@niallbaskennedy) February 16, 2019
Philly’s Rock was a former elite amateur, winning World Youth gold in 2014 before moving into the pros where he has racked up a 14(9)-0 record.
The 22-year-old was in action last week, beating Steven Lyons, and his career-best win to-date would be his previous contest again former Oleksandr Usyk opponent Pedro Rodriguez – meaning Kennedy would have been, and hopefully will be, a major step-up for him.
‘Boom Boom Bas’ was last in action in October, defeating Brendan Barrett over six in Boston on the Matchroom USA show at the TD Garden.
With the March 15th opportunity having been delayed, Kennedy has had a fight date confirmed for the following night [Saturday 16th] and will box on the Murphys Boxing ‘St Patrick’s Clash’ card at the House of Blues in Boston.
An opponent for the Gorey Garda will be confirmed in due course.
