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Keeler responds to Meli talk- ‘I would love to fight him’

With Ian Tims and Michael Sweeney agreeing to fight, Dean Byrne versus Peter McDonagh on course to being made domestic bouts seem to be en vogue.

Not one to be out of fashion sharply dressed middleweight ‘Cool Hand’ Luke Keeler would ‘love’ an all Irish clash of his own.

Keeler is keen to model the Irish title around his waist and is more than open to a clash with fellow prospect Alfredo Meli.

Belfast’s Meli stepped out of the shadows and grabbed his share of the prospect spotlight with Celtic Nations victory over Rhys Pagan in Belfast on August 1 and expressed an openness to a Keeler clash.

The Celtic Warrior Gym fighter is also keen on a clash with Fight of The Year potential, but suggests a few things have to happen before it can be made.

“I would love fight with Meli I have a 6 rounder 5th September in Leeds on Matchroom show then I’d love a 8 rounder after so I’ll be eligible to fight for a ten round Irish title.

“For Irish title to happen a Matchroom show would have to be in Ireland so hopefully they come back early next year with Macklin headlining again and I can fight for my first title on home soil,” Keeler told Irish-boxing.com before discussing Meli in more dept.

“I haven’t seen his (last) fight, but I heard it was good scrap. I’m confident of beating anyone I step in ring with and Meli would be no different. I have seen him fight a couple times and know he’s a very busy good fighter and under rated so it would be great test, but one I want sooner rather than later.”

Brian ‘The Lion’ Rose was another one suggested on social media for Keeler, but while the Ballyfermot native would be confident he could defeat the former World title challenger he knows he is some big wins away from earning a fight with the Blackpool ticket seller.

“I don’t think Rose is possibility just yet I need to earn my stripes before calling out established fighters like him, but one I’d love in near future. He had great win last week and boxed really well. I think Macklin and Rose would be an entertaining fight and one I see Macklin winning well. That would be good head line fight and one that could do well in Dublin.”

The Matchroom middleweight returns to the ring on September 5 on a massive Leeds show against a yet to be named opponent, but tickets for the event are for sale down in the Celtic Warrior Gym.

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