Conrad Cummings hoping to continue building toward Billy Joe on Belfast bill

The man they call ‘Mr. Dynamite’ is fittingly planning on starting a year that he believes could lead to a Billy Joe Saunders World title challenge with a bang.

Conrad Cummings [12(5)-1(0)-1] tops the ‘Danger at the Devenish 3’ card on February 10th in Belfast and is hoping to make an impression early in a year he feels could be big for him.

The WBO European champion and #13 with the organisation was vocal about his desire to challenge WBO World champion Saunders last year and remains open to the clash.

However, the middleweight has recently swapped Cyclone for MTK and Shane McGuigan for Jamie Moore, and feels he may need a few more fights before he will look toward challenging a champion who is currently looking for an opponent.

“I’d still love the Billy Joe fight and I’d be confident, another fight or two under my belt and you never know, we could finally tango,” Cummings told Irish-Boxing.com.

The first of those two fights takes place in on the Finaghy Road next month Cummings is delighted to be back out again so soon in the new year.

“It’s great to be back out so soon to keep the momentum going and also good to help me settle even more so with Jamie,” he added.

The Coalisland favourite’s close links to Carl Frampton saw him regularly appear on big fight nights and he has had an enviable amount of TV during in his fourteen-fight career.

He now returns for a second successive small hall appearance but has the extra incentive of topping a Ginley Promotions bill against a yet to be confirmed opponent.

However, the ambitious 160lbs fighter doesn’t see the distinction between the two and, at this stage of his career, he believes the location of the ring in which he trades leather is irrelevant.

“I’m just looking forward to it and to get back under the lights. I want to start 2018 with a bang and look forward to a big year ahead. The small hall shows are every much as important as the big.”

There was talk of a big undercard fight with Luke Keeler on the now up in the air Katie Taylor return to Dublin. That clash may now be attractive to Frank Warren and could be an option for the undercard of Carl Frampton versus Nonito Donaire.

The former WSB fighter with the Mexico Guerreros hints that there was positive talks regarding the proposed all-Irish match-up, but confirmed nothing has been agreed or signed.

“I heard a few things here and there but nothing set in stone yet,” he responded when asked about a fight he has previously stated he was more than up for.

Cummings also revealed he was never tempted to put his name forward for the March 3rd Ireland’s Last Man Standing card.

“I don’t feel I need it and also the more rounds suit me, but it’s definitely a good format and tournament.”