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‘Gutted’ – Emotional O’Leary confirms anticipated title fight is OFF

A ‘gutted’ Siobhan O’Leary has today confirmed her eagerly anticipated title fight with  Eftychia Kathopouli is no more. 

The Kerryborn Limerick based fighter was due to fight the Scottish-based Greek for the inaugural women’s Celtic Nations title in Glasgow and September 6.

However, just over a week shy from the clash the Boxing Ireland puncher revealed the fight has been called off.

Indeed, the entire show has fallen through meaning fellow Kerry fighter Kevin Cronin and Cavan’s Dominic Donegan have also had bouts cancelled.

The big punching straight talking fighter was fit and ready to go, the cancellation came from the other side and just days short of fight week.

It’s unsure if  Kathopouli – who represented a tough test for O’Leary, but one she prepared manically for – but the shows promoter Paul Graham cited injury and licensing issues as the reason for pulling the plug. 

Either way the card is off meaning the anticipated top of the bill clash is off.

The Eddie Hyland trained Irish title hopeful took to social media to explain as much this morning and apologies to those who had purchased both plane and fight tickets to support her.

An emotional O’Leary did reveal Boxing Ireland are doing there best to reschedule the clash and mention of an October fight suggests they may see it as a fight to boost the already interesting Celtic Clash 9 card.

Even more upsetting for O’Leary is the fact this cancellation may delay her historic Irish title plans.

The Boxing Ireland fighter saw the now cancelled fight as a stepping stone to an Irish title fight and was keen to use the title to help set up an historic fight with fellow Irish super featherweight Elaine Greenan.

“It’s a massive fight and I am looking forward to it,” she told Irish-boxing.com when confirming her trip to Scotland.

“Winning a title is a big accomplishment, but it opens doors too. For me it paves the way to that Irish title fight. I want to be one half of that historical fight and play my part in Irish boxing history.”

“I would be honoured, humbled and grateful for that to come into my life of course and this is a major step to that.”

 

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Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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