Keeler ready to grab his ‘second chance’ with both gloves

There is a sense of de ja vu and an element of second chance for Luke Keeler going into his Sky Sports April 2 clash.

Keeler was left with his heartbroken on Valentines Day of 2015, he was ready to claim victory in Prizefighter cash in a nice check and cash in on the publicity and profile winning the knockout tournament brings.

Eddie Hearn of Matchroom has always been a fan and victory on that ill fated night for the Celtic Warriors Gym- Stephen Ormond lost a World title eliminator on the same evening- was meant to be the start of the next phase for the popular Ballyfermot middleweight.

However as well as his heart, Keeler’s hand was left broken on the day of love and he exited the competition in a semi final that was more one hand than ‘Cool Hand’ Luke.

The 28 year old father of 9 month old twins faces the same fighter, Tom Doran, that defeat him last year and with a similar big chance sense in the air in Liverpool live on Sky next month.

However, the Pascal Collins trained fighter is adamant that while there is a lot of similarities to February 14 the result will be different when he fights for the WBA International middleweight title fight on the undercard of Callum Smith’s European title challenge.

“I thought it might not happen for a bit,” Keeler said about the Doran rematch when speaking to Irish-boxing.com

“I thought he would go the British route because that is what was said when I called him out on Twitter, but as soon as I won the fight Eddie (Hearn) came over to me and said we will make the Doran fight.

“For me it is like a second chance, things obviously went badly for me in Prizefighter, I was hoping to take off after that, but now I can finally beat Doran and kick on. I know I am going to win.”

Keeler has had just returned from nine months injury, but feels he is still better placed than Doran going into the exciting clash.

“Everything is right now. Mentally and physically I am stronger. My twin lads are nine months now so that is a little better. I have time off work, I have been to Boston getting top class sparring and I am coming in off a six rounder, so the ring rust is out of the system. He has just two fights since that night too and my fight was closer to the fight date. I think I will have good support too there are a good few coming over.”