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Progression-keen Paddy Gallagher promising not to overlook Freddy Kiwitt


Having dropped names like Terence Crawford, Amir Khan, and Keith Thurman ahead of his WBO European title fight with Freddy Kiwitt this Friday night Paddy Gallagher [15(9)-4(0)] has been accused by some of overlooking ‘Pretty Boy’.

However, when speaking to Irish-Boxing.com this week he was keen to stress that certainly isn’t the case.

‘The Pat Man’, who tops the York Hall MTK bill this weekend, claims he knows the challenge that lays ahead yet remains confident of victory.

One Ireland’s most entertaining punchers is keen to kick on this year and sees the Liberian-born London-based German and the WBO European ranking title as a perfect first step toward a world title fight.

“I feel amazing for this fight and yes a few people have said am I overlooking or underestimating him and no that’s not the case,” promised the 29-year-old.

“I’ve got a hard fight ahead of me but one I’m fully confident in doing the job in,” he added before discussing a possible big year ahead should he beat Kiwitt [14(8)-2(0)].

Gallagher does not want to be someone to claim a ranking title and remain languishing towards the bottom of the ladder.

He is well aware that things can move quickly in boxing and aims to take the belt and build quickly, with immediate fights with other ranked boxers [by definition: world title eliminators] in the pipeline.

The Commonwealth Games gold medallist explained how “I have bigger plans for bigger fights. Winning this would leave me Top 15 in the WBO then another win or two and I could fight for a world title.”

In the latter stages of 2018 the British title was the goal for Gallagher after a broken jaw had prevented him from fighting Gary Corcoran in an eliminator.

There was then talk about the welterweight fighting new champion Johnny Garton, talk Garton fueled by telling Irish-Boxing.com he was open to the fight.

However, the BBBofC ordered ‘The Pexican’ to defend against light welter Chris Jenkins and ruled Liam Taylor is next in line.

Gallagher wasn’t keen to hang around hence his attempts to try and skip ahead to world level.

The Lenadoon 29-year-old noted how “I’ve been going on about the Biritsh title for the last while, but the Board have ruled Liam Taylor to fight the winner of Garton and Jenkins so by the time I get the chance it’ll be too late.” 

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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