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‘I see it ending in style’ – Daté plans to start Irish London revolution with spectacular ending

Big punching Rohan Daté [8(6)-0-1] predicts a big finish in a fight he believes could be the start of something big for Irish boxing in London this Saturday night.

The well traveled Waterford fighter is one of a number of Irish fighters invading London and will trade leather at the famous York Hall.

Date likes the idea of a the ‘Irish Invasion’ card and predicts it’s a concept that could catch on in the English capital.

Indeed, he believes this weekend could lay the foundations for something much bigger and as British based fighter believes he could benefit significantly.

“I am beginning to get out into the local Irish community here in London and they are beginning to jump on board,” Daté explained to Irish-boxing.com

“I am really grateful for that. It would be great exposure for any local Irish pub or restaurant to get behind someone like myself, who is really drumming up a good following in the area, with Irish ties and on such an iconic stage as York Hall.”

“I am sure with John Joe Nevin and Kenneth Egan present we could get a good crowd in. This show really could be the start of even bigger Irish shows in London.”

If Daté is to be the leader of any form of Irish revolution in London he has to impress this weekend. The 26 year old has looked both solid and spectacular on occasion early in his fight career – and certainly looks to have the kind of power that ensures eye catching knockouts.

Whilst he has been working on building on his skill set since relocating to England, the Déise fighter is still keen to do damage in the ring, particularly this weekend.

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Daté’s opponent has yet to be officially announced for the weekend, but he told Irish-boxing.com that he faces a durable southpaw, although it’s a tough fighter he plans to take out in style.

“We’re up against a durable southpaw for this fight. Again I would be happy to get 8 rounds in but I think I have been hitting really hard in this training camp and working on a few new combinations. I see it ending in style.”

The welterweight, who has fought at home, in the Middle East and in England over nine fights, steps up to eight rounds on Saturday.

The increase in rounds makes him Irish title eligible and shouldn’t be an issue in terms of fitness.

“I have been in the gym constantly in the gym since moving to London a year ago, maybe taking a week off after each fight this year, but I have been pushing towards 10 and 12 rounds in most sessions.

“It was good to have the six rounds in this year and know I can push on from there,” he adds before qualifying why he feels he went the six.

“It was an on the day weigh in too for that fight which I felt took from some of my power, which I won’t be looking to do that again.”

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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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