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Sean Turner and Con Sheehan in Irish title fight discussions


Sean ‘Big Sexy’ Turner and Con Sheehan are in talks to try and make a forgotten heavyweight fight.

The two most decorated big men of their vest-wearing era were continuously linked two years ago when the regular amateur foes were both active pros and stablemates under MTK Global.

However, after racing his way to 6-0, Tipperary’s Sheehan hasn’t fought since June of 2017 and is now a free agent, while ‘Big Sexy’ endured a difficult 2018.

What looked certain to be the first heavyweight Irish title fight since Tyson Fury beat Martin Rogan to claim the green strap back in 2012 has fallen by the wayside – with talk ceasing bar one notable social media spat last year.

Indeed, Niall Kennedy, who is impressing Stateside, and the new to the scene Paddy Nevin looks a more likely names to follow in the footsteps of ‘The Gypsy King’.

However, there may still be hope that the former top amateur may renew acquaintances in the pro ranks.

Dublin big man Turner [12(8)-3(1)] has revealed he has been contacted by the former Peter Fury and Virgil Hunter-trained heavy with regard to making the fight happen.

There has been no official approach or offer made by a promoter, but the pair are trying to get the fight made themselves.

“I have been speaking to Con Sheehan. He wants the fight and I want to fight.” Turner told Irish-Boxing.com.

“Con hasn’t boxed in ages and he is breaking his bollocks on a building site. I can’t speak for my manager and the want team want for me. I told him I can’t make the fight and I don’t know what his situation is manger-wise, but I think it is a great fight. I would love it. There was hype around it before and I think there would be again.”

After making an impressive start to pro life, Sheehan looked to be forging a reputation in what is fast rediscovering it’s form as the most lucrative and glamorous division.

However, he has all but been in retirement of late and Turner claims his friend and enemy, who turns 30 next week, is keen on a return.

“He hasn’t been doing anything of late. I think he got a pain in his ass with it all. Maybe he felt he wasn’t getting regular fights or the fights he wanted? I honestly don’t know.”

“He was working with Peter Fury. Peter is a great coach, but he is set in his own ways. Maybe Con questioned a fight they had for him? If Con didn’t fancy a fight then I know Peter would have you out the door but, look, I honestly don’t know, you’d have to ask Con,” he added before revealing the contact between the pair

“I am not too sure ins and out. He called me to get my manager to contact him. I think he is a free agent.”

27-year-old Turner believes the fight would sit perfectly at the top of a bill at the pair’s old stomping ground on South Circular Road.

The Shankill slugger believes Dublin and the National Stadium are a natural fit for the big man bash.

However, considering Turner is an MTK fighter there may be some doubt with regard to that happening.

“That fight on its own would sell out the Stadium.” he declares.

!It would be a great fight and I think we could make it. We have fought each other in Senior finals and it would be the first heavyweight fight for the title since Fury and Rogan – it would be a better scrap too.”

“If MTK get back to Dublin it might happen. I can’t see why not now with the [media] ban gone.”

“Me and Con are still the biggest heavyweight names out there in Ireland. I am not being disrespectful, but people know us from the amateur days and our fights then. I’d like to show people talking shite – saying that I avoided Con – they are full of it.”

“I don’t know why they don’t just look at the risks I took in my last three fights. I don’t avoid anyone.”

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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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