Keeler want good opponent next – doesn’t want to rob the paying public

Luke Keeler [10(5)-2(1)] is keen to secure a strong comeback foe for his bout on the Red Corner Promotions inaugural show at the National Stadium on November 5th.

Fighting for the first time in seven months, and the first time since his knockout loss to Tom Doran, Keeler is jumping straight back into an eight-round BUI Celtic Warrior title clash.

An opponent has yet to be confirmed, with initial target Bradley Pryce turning down what Red Corner have described as a “substantial” offer to face the Dubliner.

Keeler hopes that an opponent of a similar caliber will be announced soon enough, both for his, and the paying public’s, sake

The Ballyfermot crowd-pleaser told Irish-Boxing.com that “I want a good opponent, I don’t want to go in there and blow someone out in two rounds.”

“There’s people paying 40 euro and 60 euro for tickets, so I want to go out and get a good fight – I’d be happy to go the eight rounds – and show that distance, show that style, that’s what I’m hoping for for this show.”

“People aren’t going to pay in if you’ve got a Polish journeyman or a Hungarian that rolls over. I don’t want to be robbing people, my friends and family, they wont come back to the next shows. Plus it’s no good to me, I’m getting on, I’m 29 now, I want to move on.”

Keeler is confident that a strong foe can be found, and hopes that next month can see him begin to build momentum. ‘Cool Hand’ explained that “the names that the lads [Red Corner] have been mentioning, the likes of Bradley Pryce, that’s the fights I want.”

“Then hopefully it gets going. You need that momentum, there’s no point having one show and then having another show eight months later, you need some sort of momentum to get people going again and create some sort of buzz.”

“I’m top of the bill in Dublin, building that fanbase. The last Dublin show, with Gary Hyde, I sold 350 tickets. If I do the same this time it’ll be amazing.”