Darragh Foley determined to make up for disappointing loss

Proud Dub Darragh Foley [15(8)-3(0)-1] is determined to rid himself of the ‘loser’ tag with a return to winning ways in Sydney this Friday morning.

Defeat to awkward prospect Akeen Ennis Brown in December left him with such a bitter taste in his mouth over Christmas that he is looking to savour the sweet taste of success as early as this weekend.

After a clash of heads and subsequent cut saw his European debut against the relatively high profile Chris Jenkins end in a technical draw, ‘Super’ was out in York Hall against a man no one wants in Brown.

‘Riddy’ boxed his way to a 97-93, 98-92, 96-94 win after what was the scrappiest of fights. The frustration of the fight carried on for the Australian-based Blanch boxer in the weeks after and he is now desperate to be a winner again.

Foley, who fights Indonesian Wellem Reyk at Sydney’s Horden Pavilion, explained that “I’m a proud man. In boxing, you’re only as good as your last fight so I want to shed the tag of ‘loser’ at the first available opportunity.

“Defeat leaves a bitter taste in my mouth – especially being pickpocketed like that. Allowing it to fester is dangerous, so I really need this fight.”

Reyk is an experienced campaigner and has had his hand raised 19 times, but he has never won outside of Indonesia and looks a good comeback opponent for the 30-year-old Irish power puncher.

Indeed, Foley see’s it as a fight to get ‘out of the way’ before he returns to big fights.

“I’ll get this one out of the way, get back into my groove and then I’ll be ready for another big fight. I’ll fight anyone that makes sense.”

One of the fights that makes sense for Foley is a return with Brown and the Bondai-based fighter would love nothing more than to level things up with his fellow MTK puncher.

Having claimed the IBF European ranking title in December, Brown may want to look forward, but Foley points out he gave the English fighter the chance no one else would when it made little sense for him and would like the favour returned.

“If I’m honest, I’d like the rematch with Brown before the year’s out. You can fool me once but lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same place.”

“I gave him the chance when I was ranked No. 5 in the world [with the WBA] and I didn’t need to.”

“I’m sure he’d repay the favour because he has balls. Other than that, I don’t really have a plan other than to get this one out of the way and then see what’s offered.”