Haughian in Lurgan action

7 May 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Irish welterweight champion Stephen Haughian is planning step one of a career revival when he makes a home town first defence of his title in Lurgan on June 25.

Haughians clash with Jeff Thomas tops David Murphys promotional bow and the John Breen trained fighter is hopping to take another step on the road to career recovery and make it three wins since he lost to Craig McIntyre in a Celtic championship clash. The Lurgan native plans to put a period of inactivity behind him and wants to breath life into his stop start career.

I am happy to be back in action again and hope to keep a lot busier after this one. There has been too many lapses of inactivity in my career to date, through shows being cancelled and so forth. Not having a promoter to keep me in action hasnt helped either.

David Murphy, who is a friend of mine, is putting on the this show. Hopefully it will revive my career. I’m grateful for him giving me the opportunity to defend my title in my hometown.

Haughian, who has British and European title ambitions, tops his third hometown bill on a show that also includes Ryan Green, Jamie Conlan and two debutants, is delighted to be fighting in his home town once again. The Irish Champ wants to defend his title in front of his loyal support before giving the bigger fights to support him in.

It feels great to be topping another bill in Lurgan. I’ve already headlined two shows at home and the support couldn’t have been better. I expect the same on the 25th June. I hold the Irish title and it is fantastic to have my first defence in my home town. I am very confident of getting another win. I want to then push on towards a bigger stage. Denton Vassell holds the Commonwealth title and Lee Purdy holds the British title. I would like to fight either of them. I don’t fear anyone and I believe in my ability. I will look at a European title fight from there.

However despite glancing into the future and declaring his domestic and continental intent, Haughian is adamant his focus is on he June 25 defence at present.

First things first I have to deal with my first defence. Then I want to push on for bigger titles. Training has gone well so far. I always keep myself in good shape but the hard work has still to come. I have seven and a half weeks left. I predict a win in seven weeks time.