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Conor McGregor’s coach names the six Irish boxers he wants on Mayweather undercard

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Irish light middleweight Conor McGregor [0-0] will be involved in one of the biggest events of the year on August 26th when he makes his professional debut against boxing legend Floyd Mayweather.

The former two-weight UFC champion, after almost a year of speculation and hype, takes on the five-weight boxing champ who returns from two years of retirement in a massive pay-per-view event in Las Vegas.

McGregor’s trainer John Kavanagh hopes that ‘The Notorious’ isn’t the only Irish fighter on the card, and has suggested six Irish boxers for the undercard.

Kavanagh listed three former amateur stars and three Celtic Warriors as the fighters he wants to see included – Paddy Barnes, Mick Conlan, Katie Taylor, Spike O’Sullivan, Niall Kennedy, and Stephen Ormond.

Flyweight Barnes [2(0)-0] fights for the WBO flyweight title tomorrow night against Silvio Oltenau. When asked about the MayGregor fight yesterday the triple Olympian and double bronze medalist said “If I’m honest I believe Mayweather will beat him but I’d love McGregor to knock him out – I hope he kicks him in the last round because it would be nice to see Mayweather’s head split open.”

Super Bantamweight Conlan [2(2)-0] fights on the Pacquiao-Horn undercard in Brisbane on July 2nd, however his affiliation to Top Rank would seem to block him for appearing – such is Mayweather’s fractious relationship with Bob Arum. The Belfast fighter has however previously stated that he will joining up with the McGregor camp.

Lightweight Taylor [5(3)-0] is currently on the lookout for a U.S. debut date. Promoter Eddie Hearn had said a spot on the Garcia-Broner card next month was in the works, however with Sky Sports looking to carry the MayGregor bout perhaps Taylor could be included in some sort of deal.

Over the years McGregor has availed of Paschal Collins’s Celtic Warriors Gym in Corduff for sparring. One fighter he would have shared the ring with was Stephen Ormond [24(13)-3(1)]. The Clondalkin fighter challenges Craig Evans for the WBO European title tomorrow in Belfast on the same card as Barnes.

Wexford heavyweight Niall Kennedy [8(5)-0] is the reigning Massachusetts State champion and has spent time sparring SBG big man John Phillips.

Last, but certainly not least, is Cork middleweight and social media star Spike O’Sullivan [25(17)-2(1)]. Expect the Leesider to begin a campaign of calling out a Mayweather Promotions fighter soon.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

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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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