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New Year’s Resolutions: Joe Hillerby – “It seemed like the perfect time to make my comeback.”

Joe Hillerby [12(3)-3(2)] admits the opportunity to get back in the ring was just too good to turn down.

The Belfast boxer has not fought since September 2015, but has kept ticking over, most recently with Dee Walsh and Ray Ginley’s growing stable. Now Hillerby has been handed to get back fighting as part of Kieran Farrell’s entry to the Irish boxing scene and will return on Saturday April 22nd at the Devenish Complex in Belfast.

‘The Faith’ had always had faith that he would get another chance, and explained to Irish-Boxing.com how “I was always looking to get back at it. Boxing is one of them sports you don’t wanna just walk away from, so the opportunity came and I plan to grab it.”

“I didn’t know Kieran Farrell personally, but I had seen his fights. Once I spoke to him, and heard his plans, it seemed like the perfect time to make my comeback.”

During his initial spell as a pro fighter, Hillerby won the BBBoC Northern Ireland light middleweight title and would retire injured against Lee Murtagh in an Irish title scrap. The Ulsterman is hoping for a return to this level once he shakes off the ring rust and gets to his optimal weight.

Outlining his plans, Hillerby described how “I’ll get this fight on 22nd April out the way first then hopefully at least another three this year as well, all building towards another crack at the Irish title.”

“I’ll probably look to show a lot more work rate, I’ve been on the back foot a lot in previous fights so going forward more will be part of the game plan when needed.”

“I’ll be coming back at super middle and, depending on how comfortable I am when I get there, could maybe drop to middle – but that’s down the line depending on how my body feels. Lots of hard work to be done.”

Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey look ahead to 2017 in episode 1 of The Irish Boxing Show

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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