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Luke Keeler v Demetruis Anrade fight world title fight CONFIRMED for Super Bowl week by WBO

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Luke Keeler [17(5)-2(1)-1] will challenge Demetruis Andrade [28(17)-0] for his WBO middleweight world title in the first month of 2020.

The Ballyfermot middleweight has been linked to the American ever since his impressive victory over Luis Arias in early August – and it seems the fight has finally been made.

It’s widely known both parties have been in talks for sometime and although there has yet to be a contract signed or an official announcement Irish-boxing.com have been led to believe that discussions have been continuously positive.

When the Irish middleweight champ pulled out of a proposed November Glasgow fight the was the fight was just some I dotting and T crossing away from being officially confirmed.

Rumour with regard to happen have increased since and some form of conformation was given over the weekend.

The WBO governing body revealed that they have sanctioned a fight between the duo after during their ratings meeting in Tokyo.

“Andrade will fight Keeler in a voluntary, We will allow that. The winner of that will be ordered to face the mandatory challenger as designated by the WBO,” Francisco Valcarcel, president of the WBO confirmed at the WBO Convention.

Irish-boxing.com previously reported Keeler would attempt to dethrone the undefeated American live on DAZN on Friday January 31, but reports suggest the fight will now play out on Thursday January 30.

Also Miami rather than New York, as first expected, will be the host city for the clash.

Chief support for the fight looks to be former Jono Carroll and James Tennyson foe Tevin Farmer’s world title defence against JoJo Diaz.

It has to be noted neither Matchroom USA, who promote Andrade’s career, or MTK, who manage Keeler, have confirmed the fight is going ahead, but an announcement is pending.

It means Irish fight fans have two massive middleweight clashes to look forward to in January. Just a month after Dennis Hogan challenged for the WBC middleweight crown in Brooklyn Spike O’Sullivan fights Jaime Munguia in Texas [January 11] and Keeler fights for the WBO world title just weeks later.

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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