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European Rankings March update – changes for Irish boxers and one new entry

The European Boxing Union rankings for the month of March have been published, with plenty of Irish fighters featuring.

The rankings, accounting for all bouts up until the end of the past month have seven Irish boxers listed.

There are some changes for the rated Irish boxers and one new entry.

Following her dominant eight-round win over Milena Koleva, Wicklow’s Katie Taylor [4(2)-0] has been installed as the #3 lightweight in Europe.

Luke Keeler [12(5)-2(1)] moves up one spot to #13 at middleweight. The Ballyfermot boxer will look to build on this with an Irish title fight against Darren Cruise on Saturday June 24th at the National Stadium on the Red Corner ‘For Honour & Pride’ show.

Belfast super featherweight Anto Cacace [15(7)-0] has been bumped down one spot to #9 on the 130lbs ladder. The Apache is in negotiations for his British title fight with Martin J Ward (ranked #2), with purse bids for this contest due tomorrow and the bout having to take place by the end of June.

Following his Irish super featherweight title win over Declan Geraghty, James Tennyson [18(14)-2(2)] has been reclassified to 130lbs and enters at #13.

Ryan Burnett [15(9)-0] holds firm at #1 in the bantamweight rankings, and remains in line to face the winner of the Karim Guerfi v Stephane Jamoye title fight. Super flyweight world title hopeful Jamie Conlan [19(11)-0] is up two spots to #4 in the bantam ratings.

Carl Frampton [23(14)-1(0)] is also ranked #1 featherweight, however it’s extremely unlikely that the Belfast boxer will aim for a second European title.

The six male fighters also feature in the EBU European Union rankings (there is no EU title for women).

#10 Middleweight – Luke Keeler
#9 Super Featherweight – Anto Cacace
#12 Super Featherweight – James Tennyson
#1 Featherweight – Carl Frampton
#1 Bantamweight – Ryan Burnett
#3 Bantamweight – Jamie Conlan

In addition, eight more Irish boxers are also in the EU ladders.

Tommy McCarthy [9(5)-1(0] moves up two places to #15 in the cruiserweight rankings.

Peter McDonagh [27(23)-28(2)-1] is up one place to #20 at welterweight.

Phil Sutcliffe Jr [13(8)-1(0)] drops one spot to #19 at light welterweight, while Steve Ormond [24(13)-3(1)] remains at #27 – although he intends to campaign at lightweight.

Following his career-best win over Peter Cope, Paul Hyland Jr [15(5)-0] moves up two places in the lightweight ladder to #18, while Jono Carroll [13(1)-0] remains at #17 – although he will campaign at super featherweight going forward.

At super featherweight rankings, Declan Geraghty [14(4)-2(1)] drops four places to #21 after his Irish title loss.

Finally, Marco McCullough [17(10)-3(2)] is up two to #16 at featherweight ahead of his British title fight with Ryan Walsh next month.

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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