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Busy ‘Big Bang’ learning to be more sophisticated on the job

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‘Big Bang’ Pierce O’Leary [2(0)-0] is becoming a boxing strategist during a busy apprenticeship period.

The Dublin starlet fights for the third time in as many months in Bolton next week – and is happy to be learning on the job.

The Inner City teen came into the pro game with a reputation – as his ring moniker suggests – for being a big puncher.

It might surprise some to read his first two fights have been full distance affairs, but he has shared the ring with Chris Adaway, a fighter with SAS survival skills, and is the only man to debut against tough test Oscar Amador.

Such fights along with some deliberate tactical coaching is helping a natural puncher develop the kind of ring craft needed for when he reaches the bigger stage.

Dublin starlet Pierce O’Leary is raring to go again as he prepares for a third fight in as many months.

‘Big Bang’ has impressed in recording convincing wins in his two professional assignments to date and now heads to Bolton to star on the #MTKFightNight on December 20 – live on iFL TV worldwide.

As he continues his apprenticeship in the paid ranks, 19-year-old O’Leary is enjoying himself.

“I’ve been learning more about strategy and it’s all coming together nicely in sparring,” O’Leary explained.

“My last two opponents were good and have been in with some top names so for the experiences couldn’t have gone any better. They’re very good at what they do and I’m delighted to get the rounds done.”

The Bolton clash, which looks likely to pit O’Leary with the ever game Alex Bazza, will be his third since turning over as recent as October – and he is enjoying being kept active.

“It’s going incredibly well at the minute. I want to keep the momentum going and I’ll only have a couple of days off over Christmas to spend some quality time with family and friends.

“I’ll always be in the gym working whether it’s in or out of camp. We’ll be working smart when we’re resting – listening to the body and preparing to go hard for a massive 2020,” he adds before expressing his excitement with regard to the trip Bolton.

“I don’t know that much about Bolton but I’m excited to get there. It’s obviously the home city of Amir Khan and of Joe Gallagher’s gym. I’ve heard great things and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Joining O’Leary on the #MTKFightNight at the University of Bolton Stadium is fellow Irish youth prospect Paddy Donovan plus Sahir Iqbal, Raza Hamza, Blane Hyland, Mike McGoldrick, Ross Cooksey, Macaulay McGowan, Muhammad Ali Zahid and more.

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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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