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Gary Cully v Joe Fitzpatrick fight CONFIRMED

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Boxing in Ireland will get off to the best imaginable start in 2020 following the confirmation of one of the biggest Irish title fights in years.

It has been confirmed this afternoon that the vacant Irish title will be contested by Joe Fitzpatrick [10(7)-0] and Gary Cully [9(4)-0] on Saturday February 1st in Belfast.

The bout will play out at the Ulster Hall as part of the latest #MTKFightNight in the city.

A bout bubbling for months, the two southpaw prospects will meet in just over seven weeks time.

Cully and Fitzpatrick have been title keen for some time now.

Naas puncher Cully has been calling for domestics for over a year now and, since reinvigorating his career under Boxing Ireland Promotions, Divis talent Fitzpatrick has had no issue labelling himself the best lightweight in Ireland.

After claiming the BUI Celtic title in October, ‘The Dragon’ Fitzpatrick stated he would be willing to face Cully but this looked in doubt when he was announced for the ‘Celtic Clash X’ bill on the same night as ‘The Diva’ was due to box at the Ulster Hall.

However, with the Boxing Union of Ireland sanctioning the bout and talks between the two parties going well, the bout has now been confirmed.

Coalisland super feather Feargal McCrory was the last man to hold the belt, picking up the strap last February when he made a temporary step-up in weight to stop Karl Kelly at the Ulster Hall.

For Cully it is the step-up he has long craved following a frustrating 2019.

A persistent knuckle injury limited the Sarto slickster to two bouts versus journeyman opposition this year but the highly-rated former European Youth champion is ready to leap in levels.

Commonwealth silver medallist Fitzpatrick is finally starting to show his potential this year with dominant stoppage wins over local rival Stephen Webb and Iago Barros but Cully is a different proposition entirely.

Fitzpatrick moves across from the Boxing Ireland bill in the Devenish that is headlined by Eric Donovan v Cristian Montilla and also features a clash between Webb and Francy Luzoho, a rematch between Julio Cesar and Sean McGlinchey, as well as slots for Dominic Donegan, Owen O’Neill, Senan Kelly, Aaron Gethins, James Lynch, Kelvin McDonald, Conor Cooke, John Joyce, Sam Carroll, Conor Doherty, and Tony McGlynn.

Sharing the bill with Fitzpatrick-Cully will be strong match ups in Davey Oliver Joyce v Lee Haskins and Sean McComb v Mauro Godoy, as well as undercard slots for Dee Sullivan, Poddy McCrory, Taylor McGoldrick, Callum Bradley, Ruairi Dalton, Steven Donnelly, and Pierce O’Leary.

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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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