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Conrad Cummings vows to rediscover amateur buzz following Luke Keeler loss


Conrad Cummings [13(6)-2(0)-1] is hoping to rediscover the sort form of form he showed that had people talking about him as one of the most exciting prospects in world boxing.

Between 2011 and 2013 the marauding Coalisland middleweight won Tammer gold, Olympic Test silver, and shone in the World Series of Boxing.

Picking up wins over the likes of Olympic silver medalists Carlos Banteux and Yamaguchi Falcao, the aggressive Tyrone fighter looked ‘perfect for the pros’.

However, his highly-anticipated pro career has spluttered – with a draw against Alfredo Meli and a controversial, momentum-sapping loss to Ronnie Mittag halting his progress.

Seemingly caught between styles under coach Shane McGuigan, a move to Jamie Moore – formerly a champion light middleweight with an aggressive, relentless approach – looked to be a perfect match-up for Cummings.

Given a massive opportunity versus Irish champion Luke Keeler in April, something still seemed ‘off’ with Cummings who fell to a decisive defeat to the Dubliner.

‘Mr. Dynamite’ is not one for lying down, however, and returns to the ring next Saturday [August 18th] at Windsor Park, determined to do better..

Fighting on the undercard of stablemate Carl Frampton’s clash with Luke Jackson, Cummings is hopeful that he can finally transfer the amateur buzz and potential to the pros.

“The best is yet to come,” he promised.

“When I turned professional, people were trying to change my style and I was getting lost between two styles. Now I know what I have to do and that’s get back to what I do best.”

“I boxed in the WSB and beat two Olympic silver medallists. I haven’t shown anything like that form yet as a professional but I’m looking forward to putting on a show on August 18th.”

“WHAT a stage it is to come back on!”

Cummings will face a to-be-announced opponent next week in his comeback from defeat to Keeler, who also features on the bill versus a to-be-confirmed opponent.

The 27-year-old wants to bounce back from the defeat and has pledged that he has learned from the loss.

Cummings explained how “I was feeling down after defeat to Keeler and had to rebuild myself. I didn’t take the opportunity last time but now my new team is behind me and I feel ready.”

“I didn’t look past Luke Keeler but a lot of things were happening behind the scenes and I just massively under-performed. I was mentally flat and it showed on the night. I’d like to get it on again.”

“It was a hard lesson learned and now I’m getting back in there having recharged and regrouped.”

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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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