Title boost for Noel Murphy ahead of massive Top Rank New York card

Christmas might come that bit early for Noel Murphy [14(2)-1(0)-1] as his big December bout just got that bit bigger.

The Cork fighter has been handed a title boost in the weeks leading into the clash.

The Macroom graduate felt a shot at Top Rank prospect Josue Vargas [15(9)-1(0)] on a massive TV card was already a career enhancing chance, but the addition of a rankings strap has added further incentive to win.

Irish-boxing.com can confirm that the IBF North Americas light welterweight title will be on the line when Murphy and the ‘Prodigy’ go to work in Madison Square Garden on December 14.

“It was confirmed today by Top Rank that Noel Murphy will be fighting for the vacant IBF North Americas junior welterweight title against Josue  Vargas on December 14th over 10 rounds,” Murphy’s manager Kevin Crowley told Irish-boxing.com.

“Noel is happy to have a belt on the line and is putting in the hard work to bring that belt back to Cork for Christmas.”

The Murphy fight is another reason for Irish fight fans to get excited about Top Rank’s big pre Christmas triple header Bob Arum is calling the ‘card of the year’, this title fight provides added Irish interest on a bill that see’s Michael Conlan look for Rio revenge.

It’s also a chance for the 25-year-old to make somewhat of a name for himself outside New York and Irish boxing circles.

Speaking about appearing on the show to Irish-boxing.com previously he said: “It’s going to be a great fight me and Josue trained at the same gym for a spell and sparred together a few years back so we know each other.

“I’m very confident going into the fight and to have it on such a big card with the Likes of Conlon and [Terrence] Crawford is unbelievable.”

“A win would push me on to bigger things obviously and these are the fights I want, on big cards against big names.”

Murphy has had a breakthrough chance before, but was unlucky and even somewhat hard done by when he lost Mikkel LesPierre in February of 2018.

The Trinidad and Tobago fighter since went on to challenge Maurice Hooker for WBO light welterweight title this March but was unsuccessful, being widely outpointed.