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‘Who am I to turn down a scrap?’ – Eddie Treacy talks Owen Duffy Cork contest


Is there a willing opponent? That seems the only question or stipulation Eddie Treacy [2(1)-0] has when it comes to matchmaking.

There are fight anyone, anywhere, anytime kind of punchers and then there’s the ‘who am I to turn down a scrap?’ Bray native.

Without a fight since November of last year and within a matter of days of signing with Boxing Ireland ‘The Honey Badger’ had agreed to an all Irish fight.

Despite the lay off and the fact he heads into just his third pro fight Tracey agreed to fight Cavan’s Owen Duffy [4(2)-1(0)] on the first pro bill to visit Cork in 10 years.

It seems a bold move and there are some who would question whether or not a ring rust freeing warm up should proceed the step up.

Yet, put that to the well supported Tracey and he almost gets insulted.

“I was asked about the fight. It wasn’t a case of me calling him out or anything, I was told that the fight was there and asked if I would take that fight- and who am I to turn down a scrap?” Tracey tells Irish-Boxing.com.

“There wasn’t any thought process behind it. Once the fight was mentioned to me, I told my coach Mark [Buckley] about it and he said let’s go for it.”

What about any potential ring rust or ill effects of a lay off? Well according to the Buckley trained fighter there is none.

“I don’t stop training. I’m always in the gym,” he assures.

“James Cahill is my club mate and him and I are always sparring as well as my brother Evan and cousin Sean who are always giving me solid rounds. I was on holidays a couple of weeks ago but I was even doing a bit of training over there, ticking over. So, once it makes sense, I’ll take these fights that are presented to me. These are the type of fights I want to be involved in and I have said that from the start.”

Like his July 20th Leeside Revolution opponent Duffy, who predicts a crazy atmosphere when the pair meet, Tracey got a glimpse of his pending foe on when the pair shared an Assassin Promotions card last October.

eddie Tracey Owen Duffy

Yet, and again similar to Duffy, he doesn’t profess to know too much about what he is up against next month.

“To be honest, I don’t know much about him. I seen a bit of his fight the night of my debut, he was on the same card. I think he’s a great fighter and I’m looking forward to doing battle with him on July 20th,” he adds before avoiding a prediction and steering clear of any comments that could generate a bad blood feel. 

“I don’t do predictions, it’s not my style. I’m not one for saying I’m gonna knock someone out, or do this or that. I’m not here to disrespect any fighter and I respect everyone who steps through them ropes. I just know that when I get in that ring, I’m willing to do anything to win.”

Treacy is one of a number of new faces on to have joined the Boxing Ireland stable this year and he is excited by the prospect of working with Leonard Gunning and Stephen Sharpe.

“I’m feeling great about linking up with Boxing Ireland and have to thank my previous manager Jay Byrne for everything he done for me. Now it’s all about taking one fight at a time with Boxing Ireland, keeping the head down, staying focused and training hard, he adds before leaving a message for his sponsors.

“I’d also like to thank all my coaches for their time and effort and a massive thank you to all my sponsors: Leinster Brickwork & Building Services, HD Hair Design, D&C Carpentry & Flooring, AJ Tree Services, O’Keeffe Paving & Landscaping, Little N’s Children’s Wear and Supreme Altitude & Fitness Centre Bray.

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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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