Luke Keeler closing in on Demetrius Andrade and St Patrick’s Day world title shot

Luke Keeler [17(5)2(1)-1] is confident he is closing in on a massive St Patrick’s Day world middleweight title shot.

The Ballyfermot boxer was yesterday bumped up to #3 in the WBO 160lbs world rankings and once again hinted his team are close to securing him a tilt.

It’s something ‘Cool Hand’ has been hinting at for some weeks now, but there is more confidence with regard the fight after Keeler moved just behind Alantez Fox and Steven Bulter in the rankings.

The 32-year-old registered a career best win over Luis Arais last time out and seems to be marching toward title holder Demetrius Andrade [28(17)-0].

The Dubliner has an interim fight scheduled for November in Glasgow, but post that clash it now seems likely that the Peter Taylor-trained puncher will secure a shot a massive St Patrick’s Day clash with Andrade.

Speaking early in September, Keeler told Irish-Boxing.com,

“I am very close to signing for a world title fight and I am going to work and train like it has been officially signed.”

Keeler wouldn’t give details with regard to whom the shot would come against or when it would play out at the time, but yesterday confirmed on social media that he expects his shot to come on St Patrick’s day.

Even without suggestion from the 32-year-old, Andrade would be most people’s first guess when it comes to most likely Keeler world title foes.

The slick American is linked with DAZN and Matchroom, who wanted Keeler on their last St Patrick’s Weekend card, and is the champion in a division the Dubliner has a high ranking in.

‘Boo Boo’ is Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez keen, but has a policy of keeping busy against top 10 fighters while awaits the ‘massive’ 160-lbs fights.

Keeler certainly fits that remit, plus the Dubliner is a perfect fit for any DAZN and Matchroom USA St Patrick’s weekend plans.

Michael Conlan has St Patrick’s Day in New York boxed off, but his annual trip to the Garden will play out on a Top Rank ESPN broadcast card.

Keeler isn’t the only Irish fighter to be linked to a middleweight world title shot of late.

Kildare’s Dennis Hogan has been linked with Jermall Charlo , as he makes the out of the blue move up to 160lbs to pursue his world title dream.

Hogan looks set to challenge ‘The Hit Man’ for his WBC middleweight world title on December 7 at the Barclays Centre, New York.