Headline News

Title fight change for Craig O’Brien


There has been a change in one of the headline fights for the Red Corner Promotions ‘Champions Elect’ card in two weeks time.

Dublin light middleweight Craig O’Brien [5(0)-0] goes for his first title at the National Stadium on Saturday October 7th, but he has been handed a change of opponent.

Initially ‘The Iron’ was due to box former Welsh middleweight champion Lee Churcher [15(5)-3(2)-1] in a big step up for the BUI Celtic title, but this will unfortunately no longer be the case.

Red Corner have confirmed this morning that O’Brien will instead box Alain Alfred [2(1)-4(1)-1] from the Celtic region of Brittany in France for the eight-round belt,

The 32 year old, who only turned pro in 2016, is an away fighter in his home country. A squat counter-puncher, he knocked out prospect Ayoub El Ghallouchi earlier this year and has also been edged out on majority decisions a number of times. In his most recent fight Alfred was stopped in the first round.

It is disappointing for inner city fighter O’Brien to miss out on the fight with Churcher, but he remains in a title fight and can’t underestimate his opponent – although his past two foes Christian Hoskin Gomez and Jorge Vallejo are arguably of a higher level.

Also on the card on October th will be debutants Craig McCarthy and Karl Kelly, Victor Rabei, a fight between super middleweights Vladimir Belujsky and Manny Bique, and additional BUI Celtic title fights for Noel Murphy and Chris Blaney.

Tickets cost €40 (gallery) and €60 (ringside) and are available from the boxers involved.

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography

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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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