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“I am in the mix!” – Anto Upton targets domestic dust-ups in 2018


One of the last few Irish boxers in action this year, Anto Upton is hoping to lay a platform for a big 2018 this evening in Scotland.

Indeed he wants to be involved in big all-Irish clashes on the bubbling domestic light welterweight scene.

The Belfast fighter boxes on an MTK Scotland show, taking on Nicaraguan Santos Medrano [10(3)-56(11)-4] at the Paisley Lagoon Leisure Centre in Scotland, two weeks on from a big disappointment.

Upton [15(6)-1(0)]was due to fight on the Ginley Promotions bill at the start of the month at The Devenish, but saw his fight pulled from the bill just hours beforehand.

The 25 year old explained how “the guy weighed in nine and a half pounds heavier then me.”

“So I had a talk with my father and brother and decided it was too big of a risk to go ahead with that fight.”

The cancelled fight looked to have brought a close to a year in which Upton had fought just twice. However, a new date on tonight’s card was soon confirmed – handing Upton his first pro fight in Glasgow, home of his beloved Celtic FC.

“I’m buzzing,” he said. “Thanks to MTK Scotland for getting me on there show such short notice

“I’m excited to fight here and put on a show for everyone that comes out to support.”

The talk in recent weeks has been of a clash between Upton’s MTK stablemates Phil Sutcliffe and Tyrone McKenna, with ‘Succo’ responding angrily to ‘The Mighty Celt’s’ call out.

Upton had previously spoken of a Belfast brawl with McKenna, and wants to be central in a fascinating Irish scene in 2018 which also features the likes of Darragh Foley in Australia and Larry Fryers in America – as well as Boston’s Danny O’Connor.

“I am in the mix!” Upton states.

“I just need to get this fight out the way then we’ll see what happens”

dpg

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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