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Victor Rabei aiming to change Conlan Comparison in Belfast bow


Victor Rabei [7(2)-0] is ready to show the people of Belfast he doesn’t just look like a Conlan when he fights in at the Europa Hotel next month.

The Moldovan-Dub has been added to Mark Dunlop’s ‘Summer Brawl’ card on Saturday May 18th and is keen to impress on his Titanic debut.

The BUI Celtic light welterweight champion and Irish title hopeful admits the clash which comes just six weeks after the best win of his career – a ‘Clash of the Titans’ chief support victory over Jake Hanney – is more a keep busy bout than a competitive contest, but that doesn’t mean the St Michael’s fighter isn’t keen to impress.

Rabei, who is frequently mistaken for Michael and Jamie Conlan, wants to win Belfast hearts in a similar fashion to the Top Rank prospect and the former world title challenger.

“I am hoping to get my name out there rather than be mistaken for Mick or Jamie again!” he jokes when talking to Irish-Boxing.com.

“It’s my first time fighting in Belfast and I’m really looking forward to it. It’ll be a huge boxing weekend with the [Ryan] Burnett fight the night before.”

Usually it is Mick that Rabei is mistaken for but we think he looks a lot more like Jamie!
Usually it is Mick that Rabei is mistaken for but we think he looks a lot more like Jamie!

The Steven O’Rourke-trained prospect goes into the fight on the back of TV wins and two BUI Celtic title victories in his last three.

This fight, against a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent won’t be as high profile and Rabei seems content enough with that as he builds his record.

The 25-year-old is happy to be busy and wants to use just his eighth pro fight as a learning experience.

“I’m very happy to be straight back in camp. Being busy was something I’ve always wanted, so grateful to be out again so quick.

“It’s another learning fight, don’t have an opponent yet, but looking to get someone decent.”

Rabei, who sees his long term future at lightweight, will share the card with recent super featherweight world title challenger and now lightweight title hopeful James Tennyson, lightweight British title challenger Paul Hyland, and even Irish lightweight champion Feargal McCrory.

However, he doesn’t feel like he has been put on the card to build a fight with any of them

“The lads are a good bit ahead of me in their professional career so not eyeing them up now.”

“But our paths may cross at some stage, you never know.”

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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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