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Big weekend for Irish boxing ahead

After a couple of quiet week, Irish boxing roars back into action this weekend with the sixth show of the year and numerous fighters in action abroad.

Most notably there is ‘A New Era’ – the first Irish show ran by young Manchester promoter and former Breen Team fighter Kieran Farrell.

A nine-fight card, the bill takes place at The Devenish Complex in West Belfast on Saturday April 22nd

Coalisland super featherweight Feargal McCrory headlines the card and he will take on The Scouse Marcos Maidana – Jay ‘Bam Bam’ Carney [5(3)-1(0)-2] – in an eight round minor title fight.

Co-headlining against an opponent to-be-confirmed will be Cork-Cuban heavyweight Mike Perez who makes his long-awaited return to an Irish ring ahead of a renewed assault at world level.

Chief support is Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Sean McGlinchey, who punches for pay for the first time against a strong debut opponent in Czechian Josef Obeslo [6(4)-34(5)].

There are two other debuts on the bill, with Breen Team super featherweights Sean Magee and Sean Higginson making the pro bows against Aleksander Birkenbergs [3(3)-9(4)] and Jamie Quinn [2(0)-35(1)-2] respectively.

Belfast light middleweight Ger Healy [5(0)-4(1)-1] returns after almost two years out and jumps straight back into a rematch. Here he will be looking to avenge his 2013 loss to skillful journeyman Willie Warburton [23(4)-110(2)-9].

6’2″ featherweight Mathew ‘The Freak’ Fitzsimons is also back in the ring after almost two years away and makes a step up in class. The big punching 20 year old will face awkward Ghanaian southpaw Michael Barnor [14(10)-9(6)-2]

A third Belfast boxer will make a return to the squared circle after an extended period out, with lightweight Mark Morris [2(1)-1(1)] taking a tough comeback bout against solid Croat Antonio Horvatic [10(5)-35(8)].

Finally there is also a six rounder on the bill for Belfast-based Scotsman Ronnie Clark [18(10)-4(1)-2], who takes on Imre Nagy [15(7)-9(5)] over six.

Tickets are available from the boxers involved at the following prices:
£20 (standing)
£35 (unreserved seating)
£50 (ringside)

There’s plenty of action away from Ireland too.

In Bangkok on Thursday, Donegal light middleweight John Hutchinson [10(2)-2(0)-2] continues he overseas adventure with another bout on the tough Thai circuit.

On Saturday night at the Tudor Grange Leisure Centre in Birmingham, Dublin heavyweight Sean Turner [10(7)-0] takes on his toughest opponent to date in what is his first fight under Pete Taylor. The MTK fighter faces tough Pole Kamil Sokolowski [3(1)-9(2)-2] who comes to the ring off the back of a stunning knockout win over English prospect AJ Carter at the start of the month. The eight rounder will hopefully lead into an Irish title fight with Con Sheehan.

In nearby Leicester, Navan middleweight Chris Blaney [5(3)-0] becomes the first Irish boxer to feature on a big BT Sport bill. The Ginger Ninja makes a step up to six rounds and a step up in opposition at the Leicester Arena where he takes on game Spanish journeyman Christian Hoskin Gomez [5(1)-20(2)-3].

Finally, at the Meadows Racetrack & Casino in Pennsylvania, one of the Cork-West Virginia Conway brothers, lightweight Mike [1(1)-0], will box Roger Blankenship on a bill topped by Rod Salka.

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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