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Bullish Buckley deflects difficult questions to the High Performance – ‘Rego’ fully focused on flyweight final

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Regan Buckley is adamant victory in tonight’s National Elite Championship final will make him the #1 52kg in Ireland ‘bar nobody’, but remains unsure if that will prove enough to ensure he heads to the London Olympic qualifiers.

Although he feels victory will cement his status as the best man for the medal winning Toyko job, Belfast’s Olympian Brendan Irvine remains some peoples favourite to be chosen for the 2020 qualifiers.

Injury prevented the talented Irvine from entering this latest installment of the premier domestic tournament – and denied ‘The Rocket’ and the others at the weight to challenge his perceived #1 status.

Regardless, the St Teresa’s man believes the winner of tomorrow’s final should be deemed the giant of the little men, but is still happy to have a box off if the High Performance still have queries.

“If I win on Friday I am the number 1 52kg boxer in the country bar nobody.
But if that is enough to put me in pole position for qualifiers? … You’d have to ask the High Performance about that one,” Buckley told Irish-boxing.com before claiming he would be open to a box-off if certain criteria were met.

“I would 100% be up for a box off in the Stadium in front of five judges and a referee. I’d be up for one where everyone is there. The way it should be. I don’t think that will happen. Why? Well that’s another question only the High Performance can answer.”

It’s bullish by the Bray man, but in fairness he was responding to questions put his way. The reigning light flyweight champion and European Games medal winner preferred to focus on his final.

“I won’t worry about any of that yet. I need to get past Friday first,” he added.

Jude Gallagher of Two Castles stands in the way of the former professional and two weight Irish title success.

‘Rego’ admits he will have to be at his best to win, but is adamant his A game will be on show in front of the TG4 cameras.

“Jude is a great boxer, he looks super sharp and I’m looking forward to trading leather with him on Friday. I’ll be on my A game and ready to take it home.

“I feel I’m more than ready to take that title home to Bray. I’m prepared to leave it all in there on Friday and do whatever it takes to win. I’ve trained for everything,” he adds before claiming he isn’t feeling the pressure brought on by a recently acquired higher profile.

“I do feel people are starting to take more notice now after the European Games but there’s no expectations as Its still a new weight for me. I’m only focusing on my performance in each fight and enjoying more food too.”

dpg

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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