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Niall Kennedy secures slot on major U.S. card


Niall Kennedy [11(7)-0-1] has secured a slot on a massive American card alongside one of Ireland’s greatest.

It has been announced tonight that the Wexford heavyweight will feature on the undercard of the Billy Joe Saunders v Demetrius Andrade WBO middleweight title fight at the TD Garden in Boston on Saturday October 20th.

The Matchroom USA bill, which will be shown on DAZN in America and Sky Sports on this side of the Atlantic, also features a title defence from Wicklow lightweight Katie Taylor who puts her WBA and IBF belts on the line versus Cindy Serrano.

Tonight the Paschal Collins-trained Kennedy has become the latest Celtic Warriors fighter to secure a slot on a Matchroom bill following appearances of varying levels of success for the likes of Spike O’Sullivan, Steve Ormond, Luke Keeler, Ian Tims, Luke Keeler, Pajo Hyland, Craig O’Brien, and Jono Carroll over the years.

An opponent for 34-year-old Kennedy is yet to be confirmed but it is said that ‘Boom Boom Baz’ will be in a “major fight.”

Since turning professional, Gorey’s Kennedy has made the U.S. East Coast his boxing home, with nine of his 12 fights taking place there – including each of his last five contests.

A big 2017 for the Garda saw him win the Massachusetts and New England titles with brilliant performances versus Jaime Barboza and Alexis Santos, stopping the former and scoring upset points win over the latter. These results saw him both earn a contract with Murphys Boxing, who have a large role in the October 20th card, and be recruited for sparring with the Matchroom crown jewel – unified heavyweight champ Anthony Joshua.

Kennedy goes into his fight in just over eight weeks time off the back of his first pro setback. Back in June the Irishman was held to a dubious draw by Joel Caudle and he will be keen to make amends here.

Also featuring on the undercard at the home of the Boston Celtics and the Boston Bruins will be Scott Quigg, Tommy Coyle, Max DeLuca, and Danny O’Connor – who returns afer missing out on a title shot against WBC light welterweight champ Jose Ramirez after he collapsed and was hospitalised ahead of the weigh-in.

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

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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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