The sparkle is back for Declan Geraghty ahead of crucial under-the-radar clash

It’s a fight that has unfortunately slipped under the radar, but while it might not be fore-front of fight fans’ minds, Declan Geraghty [16(4)-2(1)] knows just how big his clash in Preston tonight is.

The Dublin super featherweight’s clash with fellow stylist Johnny Quigley has all the ingredients to be a classic encounter considering it’s a matching of two skilled operators who really need a named win.

However, due to the fact the card plays out on the same night as the massive Anthony Joshua v Joseph Parker unification along with the pair’s management outfit’s Irish media boycott means the BoxNation-broadcast bout hasn’t caught the attention.

That lack of limelight hasn’t affected the southpaw and, according to his stablemate Jay Byrne, Geraghty doesn’t need significant spotlight on his clash to know how essential it is.

Having suffered defeat to Jono Carroll and James Tennyson on high profile cards, the Dubliner needs to build on his impressive win over Michael Roberts last year with another victory which would see him kick on toward major title honours – and he is going to get it against former Carroll opponent Quigley according to Jay Byrne.

“He knows the importance of this fight and is willing to do all it takes to win,” BUI Celtic welterweight champ and Geraghty stablemate Byrne explained to Irish-Boxing.com before suggesting the Dubliner is back to his slick best.

“I’ve done all camp with Deco and I’ve seen the sparkle back to be honest. He’s been so stop-start in the past 18 months he’s just absolutely buzzing to get in there now.”

“He has plenty of energy in the tank as he’s been sparring 12-14 rounds and looking like the old Deco again after the couple of injuries and that,” added Byrne who recently announced his move into promoting, with an inaugural JB card eyed for this Summer.

The recent Irish light middleweight title challenger, who alongside the 27-year-old is trained by Declan Geraghty Sr, also claims there is substance not just style to the two-time Irish Senior champion.

“He done the weight easy no issues at all, his commitment and dedication was outstanding for the whole camp. Since before Christmas he has trained two to three times per day, mainly in our gym Supreme Altitude. His sparring went well and the hand seems to be great thank God.”

The card takes place tonight at the Guild Hall and also features Belfast’s Alfredo Meli who, after withdrawing from Ireland’s Last Man Standing, faces Romanian Romeo Paun [5(0)-18(7)-2] in the bout proceeding Geraghty’s.

Quigley’s only defeat is a split decision reverse to former Geraghty foe Jono Carroll last June and this will be the Liverpudlian’s first bout since. In that fight at the Waterfront Hall, Quigley was decked twice early but finished strong to make it close on the cards.

Geraghty is the slight 8/11 favourite for the ten-round non-title bout, with Quigley an EVENS underdog.

Headlining tonight are two English light heavies of Irish extraction – with Galway-Barrow puncher Liam Conroy defending his English title versus London-Cork slugger Miles Shinkwin.

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