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Niall Kennedy is Off and On the Ball as the building continues


Niall Kennedy [10(6)-0] is becoming an increasingly familiar face to the general Irish sports fan recently.

From scoring a big win to sparring with unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua, the Gorey giant’s star is certainly rising.

As he approaches his eleventh fight tomorrow night in America, this recognition continues to grow. During the week the Wexford heavyweight featured in two short features, one with Andy Lee for Off The Ball, and one from Eoin Lúc O Ceallagh from The42.

Kennedy is typically modest regarding the attention, and told Irish-Boxing.com that “I don’t deserve any recognition yet, but I think the kindness Andy and Eoin showed me was nice and I’m extremely thankful for it.”

“Hopefully my interview might help somebody who maybe is in a dark place and struggling to see the light.”

“If momentum is building, I hope it is because of positive performances and my improvements.”

Fight number eleven sees Kennedy return to Connecticut, the state in which he claimed the New England title with a sensational win over Alexis Santos last September. This time around he fights in an eight rounder on a Murphys Boxing show against Oklahoma’s Aaron Chavers [8(3)-3(1)-1]].

The always-improving Celtic Warriors man is feeling good ahead of the fight following a tough camp with coach Paschal Collins.

Kennedy outlined how “I have felt great in this camp, eight rounds will be no issue, ten will be no issue, and I’m looking forward to this fight due to my preparation.”

“I’ve had brilliant sparring, for which I can’t thank all the lads enough, too many to name

While Kennedy is expected to win against Chavers before moving toward big title fights again, the New England champion is refusing to look past his upcoming opponent.

‘Boom Boom Baz’ stressed that “every fight is a learning fight and at this weight, no opponent can be taken lightly, I’ve prepared for this fight as I would for a world title because this is my world title. I have to win on Saturday to keep going in the right direction”

“I’ve looked at a small bit of footage of him and he is a very capable, a big, fit, strong man.”

“I will have to be on the ball and I plan on being on the ball.”

dpg

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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