Haughian confident despite changes
JUNE 23 Jonny Stapleton
The name of his opponent may have changed numerously over the last few weeks, but the end result, a Stephen Haughian win, will remain the same regardless, according to the Irish Welterweight champion.
The Lurgan fighter claims he hasn’t been distracted by the fact two would be challengers have pulled out at the last minute and is confident his home coming will be a successful one.
The 26 year old tops Dave Murphy’s first ever promotional bill in Lurgan and assured his loyal following they will be celebrating come Saturday night.
The John Breen fighter now faces Arek Malek after Willie Thompson and Jeff Thomas pulled out, but is adamant his preparation’s haven’t been affected.
“The changes haven’t hampered my preparations. You get used to these sort of things in this game. I have done over 80 rounds of sparring and feel very good physically and feel sharp and my weight is good, so it shouldn’t matter who is in there with me. I am very confident of winning,” Haughian told www.irish-boxing.com.
Haughian, was meat to defend his Irish title on a card that includes Jamie Conlan, Bobby George and Eammon O’Kane, but the pull outs mean he will now compete in a non title six rounder against the well travel Pole.
However the well supporter pug, who had an unsuccessful Celtic title tilt with Drew Mitchell late last year, is hoping to move beyond domestic title level over the next few years and is intent on claiming bigger belts.
I want to push on for major titles after Saturday night, but I don’t want to look too far down the line yet, as I have a job to do on Saturday,” he added before commenting on coming home and the card itself.
“It’s always great to be headlining a show at home. There is great support in Lurgan and it is a good boxing town. It’s a great card and it’s hopefully one of may shows for David Murphy the promoter. He has done a great job so far, and it’s good for him and me both to have the likes of Eamonn O’Kane and Bobby George on the bill.”
