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Stephen Ormond looking for Rewards and Revenge in surprise rematch


The WBO European ranking title is the cherry on top of a revenge cake claims Stephen Ormond [27(13)-5(1)].

The all-action fighter, who turns 36 today, has been open about wanting one more big shot and has revealed that as a 2019 goal.

So there were some eyebrows raised when news broke that the Clondalkin native would rematch with Welshman Craig Evans [19(3)-2(1)-2] on June 1st in Cardiff.

At first glance it appeared to be a repeat of a disappointing fight which Ormond lost clearly two years ago.

However, the Dubliner feels he was far from his best that night and the fact the WBO title Evans defeated Boy Jones to pick up is on the line provides ‘The Rock’ with the chance to potentially secure a world ranking from where he can plot a big fight assault.

Ormond was stung last time out when he defeated a WBO-ranked fighter in Ghanaian George Ashie but was not rewarded with a place in the Top 15 – and is hoping things will be different this time, both in the ring versus Evans and in the WBO decision-making process

“I’m very happy this fight has been made because it’s for a significant title and it’s also a rematch” Ormond outlined. 

The St Matthew’s graduate was dropped twice and rather widely outpointed by Evans in Belfast in June 2017 but doesn’t think feel the Newport puncher beat the best Ormond on that night.

“He outpointed me the first time we met but I put in a woeful performance. I’m looking to improve on that significantly this time around”

“I’m looking to do a lot differently and fight the way I know I can fight. I’ll fight a smarter fight than the first fight. ”

“It was a horrible performance and he beat me fair and square then,” he adds before revealing he has no issue with going into Evans back yard to fight.

“I don’t look too much into being the away fighter. I’ve been the away fighter many, many times. To me, this is just another fight.”

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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