LIVE UPDATES – JB Promotions ‘Proving Ground’ Show
JB Promotion’s kick off their 2026 campaign tonight with their ‘Proving Ground’ show in the new surroundings of The Pavilion Building at Leopardtown Racecourse, marking the first event of its kind to take place at the venue.
The card carries a theme of momentum and fresh starts, with a number of fighters returning from layoffs, recent setbacks and rebuilding periods, all of which are no doubt looking to push their records forward early in the year.
Senan Kelly tops the bill against a gritty Argtenian in Emiliano Araujo, as the Kildare-man aims to rediscover rhythm following his first professional loss to Ben Marksby in the 3Arena last September, while Offaly’s Paul Loonam looks to continue his steady progression in the co-main event by adding another win to his unbeaten record, pushing himself into title conversations later in the year.
Further down the card, Bayo Alabi looks to make a statement in a 6-rounder as he faces a seasoned campaigner in Jose Perez, while Cain Lewis begins a new chapter in his professional career, making his first outing since signing with JB Promotions earlier this year.
Elsewhere, Oisin Treacy returns to the ring after a 10-month absence with a tough test as he faces a man synonomous with recent upsets in Jordan Grannum, while Sarah Murphy looks to build on her October debut and push to 2-0. The card also features what feels like a ‘second debut’ for Cian Doyle, who returns to action after a near 4 year layoff, having last fought in June of 2022.
Irish-Boxing.com are ringside and will be providing live updates from the event below.
Please refresh the page to follow the action as it happens.
Cian Doyle v Stefan Nicolae
Taking to the centre of the ring right from the off, Doyle established his jab well, keeping Nicolae to the perimeter of the ring before unleashing a barrage of hooks to the midsection of the Romanian early in the first. Clearly eager to engage after a length spell out of the ring, the pair briefly tangled midway through the round, with Doyle getting the better of the exchanges from the inside, finishing the round with a clean right hand with seconds to go.
Doyle got to work with persistence again in the second with another onslaught of hooks to the head of Nicolae forcing him to retreat to the ropes, the pair briefly clinched with Doyle landing multiple uppercuts from the inside, provoking a massive reaction from the crowd, however he didn’t emerge unscathed and appears to be cut on the bridge of his nose. Midway throw the round, the Dubliner readdressed his pace, returning to boxing from the outside, before closing out the round with a strong finish of combination strikes to the body.
Definitely an approach of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ from team Doyle in the third, starting the round with precise strikes to Nicolae’s midsection. Midway through the round, the referee called for a brief intervention to assess the damage on Doyle’s nose, and perhaps broke his momentum slightly as Nicolae landed his best shot of the fight with a clean left hook following the break, causing Doyle to stumble. Nevertheless, Doyle finished strong with another assault to Nicolae’s torso.
