Stop the Stoppage Talk – Bayo Alabi Shocked by Conor Kerr’s Prediction
Bayo Alabi says Conor Kerr’s stoppage talk has stopped him in his tracks.
The recently crowned BUI Celtic Champion meets the Belfast battler in an eagerly anticipated featherweight affair on JB Promotions Judgement Day card this weekend.
Recent Irish title challenger ‘King Con’ goes into the National Stadium-hosted fight confident he will end the fight in his favour before the final bell.
Rather than take insult or use the bold prediction as motivation, the Tallaght native’s reaction was just one of surprise.
The holder of the most aesthetically pleasing domestic title says there is nothing in either’s history to suggest the bout will transpire as his rival suggests.
“I’ve never, as an amateur or even as a pro, been in trouble. I’ve never been dropped. I’ve never been stopped and he’s never stopped anybody,” the Westside graduate said when speaking to Irish-boxing.com.
“Plus he’s fought at a lighter weight; he’s fought at super bantamweight and never stopped anyone. I don’t know where he’s getting this assumption that he’s going to stop me from.”
Not only does the Unit 3 fighter believe Kerr won’t stop him, he says there is nothing the IGB boxer can do to stop the Dub from securing victory.
Alabi, who claimed his title with a big win in Scotland earlier this year, is adamant a career-best performance is incoming and equally sure that Kerr won’t be able to live with him at his best.
“You can just expect the best Bayo you’ve seen. I’m only get better as the opponents get better, so you can expect my best. I am not one for predictions but I’m going to be at my best and there is nothing Conor can do to stop me when I’m at that level.”
If the Tallaght native performs at the highest level against noteworthy opponents, his ‘at my best’ prediction suggests he may see Kerr as a genuine challenge.
However, it doesn’t quite work that way for the Jay Byrne-mentored operator. Alabi says his respect has to be earned.
“I don’t rate anyone. I can’t rate any of my opponents. I’m just one of them people. Maybe I might give him props after a fight, but as of right now, I don’t give a flying f about him,” he adds before dismissing talk that differing amateur experiences may influence the outcome of one of many all Irish clashes on Saturday’s card.
“He’s talking about his amateur career this and that. Nobody gives a flying you know what about your amateur career. This is pro boxing, my bro. And September 26th, we’re going to get down to business.”
