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Opponent Scout Report: September 23rd-24th

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It’s a very busy weekend for Irish boxing ahead with plenty in action across the water and as always on a Thursday, we take a look at the men in the opposite corner.

Friday September 23rd
Civic Hall, Grays
Tommy Carter [1(0)-2(0)] – Middleweight
Irish Tommy makes a step up and faces Tey Lynn Jones [4(0)-0] over six rounds.
– Record: Unbeaten against journeymen opposition so far. Has also featured in the Queensberry Boxing League. Was at the centre of controversy earlier this year before his debut when Chris Eubank Jr tastelessly released a snippet of footage that showed Eubank knocking him down.
– Style: Physically very big with a nice jab. Decent range of shots but a bit wild.
– Video: A QBL win over Tommy Marcon.
– Verdict: A good prospect with home advantage and probably the toughest opponent of Carter’s career thus far.
A good opponent.

Saturday September 24th
Solihull Leisure Centre, Birmingham
Tyrone McKenna [10(3)-0-1] – Light Welterweight
The Mighty Celt takes on Danny Little [4(0)-19(3)-2]
– Record: Almost exclusively faces up-and-comers, the journeyman has only been stopped by Matchroom starlet Ted Cheeseman, WBO lightweight champ Terry Flanagan, and Scottish champ Mike Towell.
– Style: Awkward strong southpaw who will most likely outweigh McKenna on the night. Shells up and invites shots, but throws the occasional big counter.
– Video: A four-round loss last weekend to Lee Oldham.
– Verdict: Size and style should make it an awkward night for McKenna, but the Belfast man is a level above.
An okay opponent.

Jono Carroll [10(1)-0] – Super Featherweight
King Kong gets back into ring action against Lithuania’s Simas Volosinas [6(1)-49(6)].
– Record: Hugely experienced. Has fought most prospects including points losses to Anto Cacace and Marco McCullough and a stoppage defeat to James Tennyson.
– Style: Slippery, negative, and durable.
– Video: A recent loss to Josh Wale.
– Verdict: An easy, confidence-building comeback fight for Jono who has not fought since May.
An okay opponent.

Con Sheehan [1(0)-0] – Heavyweight
Con The Bomb fights Croatian Igor Mihaljevic [2(0)-5(3)].
– Record: Relative newcomer to boxing, but has an extensive kickboking history where he once challenged for the WAKO K1 World title.
– Style: Methodical. Fights in straight lines based on the one-two. Doesn’t over-commit.
-Video: A heavy knockout loss to AJ Carter.
– Verdict: Perfect fight for Sheehan to make his return to the ring in and get used to having Peter Fury in his corner.
A good opponent.

Malaga, Spain
Sean Turner [7(5)-0] – Heavyweight
Big Sexy is up against Estonian Valery Semishkur [18(10)-30(23)-1]
– Record: Has been around for 18 years. Has faced top cruisers such as David Haye, Grigory Drozd, and Enzo Maccarinelli. Was also once outpointed by Coley Barrett (in Albania of all places). Only recently returned from 3 years out of the ring.
– Style: Very little punch-resistance. Cagey.
– Video: His recent one-round loss to Russian Rostislav Plechko.
– Verdict: Now 41 and has ballooned in weight since his early days, Semishkur shouldn’t offer any resistance to the big-punching Big Sexy
Not a good opponent.

Manchester Arena, Manchester
Liam Conroy [10(3)-3(1)-2] – Light Heavyweight
Conroy takes on Frenchman Baptiste Castegnaro [8(4)-9(0)] over six rounds.
– Record: Fought mainly on mainland Europe, going the distance against decent fighters such as Tim Lihaug and Olympian Stefan Haertel.
– Style: As durable as they come, but came be hit quite easily. Quite raw and wild sometimes.
– Video: A six-round points loss to Massimiliano Buccheri. 
– Verdict: A decent replacement for Conroy who had been expecting to be facing Tomi Tatham in a British title eliminator.
A good opponent.

York Hall, London
Dan-Dan Keenan [2(0)-0] – Welterweight
Kennan meets Bulgarian Teodor Boyadjiev [1(0)-9(1)-1)] over four rounds.
– Record: Fought four times in Britain, only being stopped once.
– Style: Unknown.
– Video: No footage available.
– Verdict: Seemingly a nice durable opponent for the novice teen.
A good opponent.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish).

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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