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New Beginning Countdown: Stephen ‘The Rock’ Ormond in-depth

The return of big time boxing to Dublin is now only four days away and irish-boxing.com continues its unrivaled preview of the night with a look at Dublin lightweight, Stephen Ormond.

A throwback fighter, Ormond [17(8)-2(0)] has an exciting ‘American style’ of pugilism which he has honed in the ‘Irish Wildcard’ – Paschal Collins’s Celtic Warriors Gym. Renowned for his engine, the Dubliner loves to get on the inside and pin his opponent to the ropes where he can unload on the body.

The Clondalkin man is a true road warrior having fought the length and breadth of Britain as well as spending a year of his early career in the America. ‘The Rock’ hasn’t fought in Dublin since 2013 and has only fought in the capital thrice. On Saturday he will be hoping to remind Dublin fight fans what they have been missing.

In 2013, Ormond won the WBO European title (knocking out Adam Mate in the first round) before a highly impressive defence against Derry Matthews – in his home city of Liverpool. Ormond lost this title in February, via tenth round disqualification to Terry Flanagan, in a fight that doubled as a world title eliminator. ‘The Rock’ was thrown out for use of the head, in response to excessive holding by Flanagan, in a tight and scrappy bout.

The ‘New Beginning’ card is certainly a fitting title for Ormond who is embarking on his own new beginning after the loss to Flanagan. The Clondalkin man faces durable Polish fighter, Jacek Wylezol [12(7)-9(2)], in an eight round contest. Wylezol recently took world rated Englishman, Stephen ‘Swifty’ Smith, the distance and he will offer a tough comeback test to Ormond on Saturday

32 year old Ormond is having one last shot at the big time, and an impressive win on Saturday may put him in line for a shot at former foe Derry Matthews, who now holds the WBA interim belt. Alternatively, English lightweights Anthony Crolla and Terry Flanagan are soon fighting for the WBA and WBO titles respectively, and Ormond would jump at the chance to challenge for their belts should they win.

Doors open at the National Stadium at 6pm and tickets are available from ticketmaster.ie. ‘New Beginning: Conlan-Granados’ will also be shown live on Boxnation from 7pm.

Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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