Eamonn for the top- O’Kane confident of Rea win
by Jonny Stapleton
Having mixed it with some of the biggest names in boxing as an amateur Eamonn O’Kane is now in hurry to square of with the worlds elite as a pro.
O’Kane’s non paid CV has a contemporary boxing’s whose who feel to it and he believes a pointer to his potential success is how he faired against the likes of George Groves, John Pascal, Andre Dirrell and James Degale.
The Derry man faces the lesser know but respected Joe Rea in his third fight since turning pro this year in the Odyssey Arena on Saturday night and wants to be moved on and tested as quick as possible.
The Commonwealth Gold medallists is in no mood to hang around and is eager to get on the title trail with victory on the under card of his friend Paul McCloskey’s WBA world title eliminator with Breidis Prescott.
“I am training for this fight like it is a major title fight. Joe Rea is a difficult opponent and it is my first eight round fight,” O’Kane told Mirror Sport. “I want to be moved on quickly. I don’t want to be waiting around. I suppose you could say I want to make up for lost time. I want to be tested and why not? I have been in with the best in the world as an amateur. I have fought fighters who have gone on to do brilliantly in the pro games so why can’t I. I want to get titles I don’t care which one comes my way first. I would like to win the Irish, British or Commonwealth straps. I would fight any of the champions right now. This fight is a stepping stone to achieving that.”
Despite affording himself a glance further down the boxing line the 28 year old is adamant he is not looking past the Birmingham based Irish fighter. The former amateur stand out is expecting Rae to be in the shape of his life and has trained accordingly.
“I will be well tested and I will be pushed for the eight rounds that’s what I want. I am confident I will win, but that doesn’t mean I won’t give Joe full respect. He has been in with top names and he will be looking to get back to winning ways. He has complained he takes fights a late notice. Joe has eight weeks to train like this fight and I am sure you will see a top notch Joe Ray on the night. I can assure you, you will see a top notch Eamonn O’Kane and I believe a top notch Eamonn O’Kane is a match for anyone in the world.”
