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Dalton predicts noisy reception for his pro and Ulster Hall debut

Ruairi Dalton was set to turn professional three years ago. After a long journey, he finally gets that chance this Friday.

The former amateur of note has had to overcome plenty of setbacks to get to this point, as he prepares to make his debut on this week’s huge #MTKFightNight at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, live in the US on ESPN+ and worldwide on iFL TV.

With all of those issues now firmly behind him, Dalton is ready to make up for lost time and show everybody just what he is capable of in the paid ranks.

“It’s been a long time coming. Obviously I was supposed to turn professional in 2016 but I had a lot of issues in the States at the time. That’s why it’s been a bit of a delay so I’m just glad it’s sorted now,” said Dalton who surprisingly also fights in the Ulster Hall for the first time.

“I’m delighted to finally be making my debut and it will be a special feeling. There’s a great buzz in the Ulster Hall and I never got to fight there as an amateur, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

The Dee Walsh trained fighter is expecting a strong following at tonight’s show and predicts they will be heard in the Belfast cauldron.

“I’m from a great community and we always stick together. I have a great fan base and its increasing, so they will be making lots of noise come Friday as I’ve sold a lot of tickets.

“It’s great that my fight will be shown live on iFL TV so more people can get to watch and know me, and there’s some big names on the bill too which is great.

“Hopefully it will be a great performance and a win on Friday, and then I want to stay active as possible as my career goes on, so you will all see the best Ruairi Dalton!”

A massive bill in Belfast on Friday also features a fantastic flyweight showdown between Jay Harris and Paddy Barnes, an interesting super-featherweight clash as Marco McCullough faces Viorel Simion, former world champion Terry Flanagan fighting Michael Ansah, unbeaten star Sean McComb taking on Emiliano Dominguez Rodriguez, elite Irish debutants Paddy Donovan and Pierce O’Leary and many more.

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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