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Two Dublin v Belfast battles confirmed for Celtic Clash 3


Two Irish prospects will be given early gut checks next month.

As news of opponents for the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions‘ card begins to be released, two undercard fights jump out, two all-Ireland battles.

There will be two Dublin v Belfast fights on the September 9th show at the National Stadium, as rising prospects look to negotiate the challenges of durable home journeymen.

First, welterweight debutant Niall O’Connor will begin his pro career against Alec Bazza [0-28(3)-2].

The Ballybrack boxer wont be given any time to settle into life in the paid code, with Belfast’s Bazza known for testing prospects and providing the sort of game opposition that makes a mockery of his record.

On the ‘Celtic Clash 2: The Rising’ card in May, Bazza was involved in perhaps the fight of the night, a four-round war with lightweight debutant Liam Gaynor – and more of the same is hoped for here.

Fighting for the second time as a pro, Lucan welter John Joyce [1(1)-0] will be tested by another Alio Wilton journemany – Jamesy Gorman [8(3)-37(5)-1].

‘The Chin’ was a Northern Irish champion and two-time Irish title challenger before going down the journeyman route. Last November he gave Shortty Carroll a real test in a Celtic Nations title fight, being beaten by two rounds.

Joyce made an impact on his debut on ‘Celtic Clash 2,’ destroying Poland’s Patryk Jackowiak inside a round with bodyshots, but it would be a massive statement here if he could stop Gorman.

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Headlined by the Eric Donovan v Dai Davies BUI Celtic featherweight title fight, the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ card also features Regan Buckley v Carl McDonald, Anto Cacace, Stephen McAfee, Martin Quinn, James Cahill, Aiden Metcalfe, Dylan McDonagh, Colin O’Donovan, Chris Mullally, Michael Gallagher, Keane McMahon, Gerard Whitehouse, and Bernard Roe.

Tickets for the show cost €30 (Balcony), €40 (Gallery), €60 (Ringside), €100 (VIP Premium), and €15 (Under-15s gallery – must be bought alongside an adult ticket) and are available to buy from the boxers involved or online at Ticketmaster.ie

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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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