Jay Byrne – “I don’t want to wait around”
Dublin welterweight Jay Byrne [2(1)-0] will box in his final four rounder this coming Saturday in Belfast.
The ambitious Loughlinstown fighter features on the MHD Promotions ‘Inquisition’ dinner show at the Europa Hotel, and Byrne is looking to get his 2017 off to a flying start following a frustrating end to last year.
The end of 2016 saw two December fight dates cancelled for Byrne, but he has put this behind him and is ready to kick on this year.
His opponent on Saturday night, Hungarian Sandor Jozsa [3(0)-1(1)-1], is something of an unknown quantity. Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com, Byrne freely admits that “we know nothing about him bar that he has three wins and one loss. It’s a matter of sussing him out early.”
Indeed the biggest challenge posed by Jozsa could be his sheer size, with the Magyar a natural middleweight. This does not worry Byrne who, confident in his own abilities, will not undergo a weight-cut and will tip the scales at 162lbs to enable the fight with the bigger man.
“Fitness and strength work has been a daily occurrence since November when the fight agreed. We’ve worked on some new technique, as you know I’m always learning especially being a newcomer to this level,” he added.
Saturday’s scrap is the first of two dates in February for Byrne who will also box on the Red Corner Promotions card in Dublin on the 25th where he will step up to six rounds. Two dates in close proximity are no problem for the 30 year old who is hoping to storm up through the ranks in 2017.
He explained that “I don’t think of injuries and, if I do get a cut, I’ll have a great cuts team with me in Tommy McCormack and Niall Byrne and then three weeks for it to heal. I’m training every day, twice a day, both before and after work. I’m ready to fight once given the shout, so two dates being so close together wont be a problem bar the weight difference. I’m at 73.5kg for this one and 66.5kg (147lbs) for the 25th.”
“I’m really feeling it this year and I don’t want to wait around. I am hungry to push on and hopefully I’ll get straight onto eight rounders after this.”
The self-managed fighter also took the time to thank his sponsors, with ‘The Negotiator’ noting how “the support I’m getting is great and it drives me on. Thanks to Dublin Plumbing and Gas, Fightstore Ireland, John Brady Group, Matt Britton Carpets, Hightechspec, Booster Sports Gear, MC Motors, Centra Monkstown, Printrun, and a special mention to my clothing sponsor Visual Print Bray.”
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
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