Niall Kennedy hoping for impressive title audition on Saturday

At 32 years old, Niall Kennedy doesn’t want to wait around padding his record in easy fights.

Such is modern boxing, this mantra is problematic when most decent opponents are unwilling to accept a fight with a 4(2)-0 prospect.

Kennedy however feels that he may have been given an opportunity to jump the queue and become a desirable opponent. The Wexford heavyweight fights Willie Palms in Massachuestes on Saturday in what is something of an audition for Murphy’s Boxing, a chance to prove that he deserves to be thrown in the deep end.

Boom Boom Baz spoke to Irish-Boxing.com and explained that “lads avoid me out there in America because the risk doesn’t match the reward.”

“We offered to fight this good heavyweight, as an ‘opponent,’ and he turned us down three times.”

“If I win, and win well, on Saturday, Murphy’s are going to try and get me a Massachusetts or New England title.”

“That will make me a more worthwhile fight for these guys.”

Kennedy, who flew out this morning, faces Willie Palms on Saturday night at the Memorial Hall in Plymouth, and knows that “I need to bring my A-game to get the win and impress.”

“But I’ve been flying in training with Paschal.”

The American scene is something that the Gorey Garda is looking to take on properly, and Kennedy admits that “America is the only route for me really.”

“I was helping Tommy McCarthy with his sparring for the Dickinson fight so he might get me on one of his undercards some time, then there’s some shows in Dublin that I could get on, but America is where I need to be for big fights.”

“It’s a great place, you’re fighting early on in the undercard and there’s 2,000 people there going nuts.”

“The opponent’s too, they come out swinging, trying to win, and I prefer that.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (ThefIrish)