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Niall O’Connor’s Olympian opponent to return to amateurs following Boston clash


Not that Niall O’Connor [5(4)-0] will need any extra inspiration, but the Ballybrack super featherweight does not seem to be held in high regard by his upcoming opponent.

‘Nasty Niall’ takes a massive leap up in class on Friday night when he takes on Venezuelan Olympian Luis Arcon [7(7)-0] in Boston on a Murphys Boxing show.

It’s a huge fight at the Encore Casino for O’Connor who will be looking to claim a notable scalp and launch his career on the casino card – but the Murphys-backed Arcon has other plans.

The South American light welterweight has committed to competing in the PanAmerican Games which began later this month and intends to fly to Peru following the six-round fight to box in the multi-sports Olympic style tournament.

Arcon, before competing at Rio, was a South American Games silver, PanAmerican Games bronze, PanAmerican Championships bronze, and Central American and Caribbean Games bronze winner as well as fighting in the pro-styled World Series of Boxing.

Established amateurs are now allowed return to the pro game, with the cut-off limit having been removed ahead of the 2016 Olympic Games.

Arcon was named as part of the six-strong team for the upcoming Games in Lima as far back April and subsequently scored a stoppage win over Jose Aubel in May before taking the fight with O’Connor.

The Dubliner will be fighting for the first time since December but has been training away at the Celtic Warriors Gym since then.

O’Connor is confident going into the bout, describing Arcon as being ‘very beatable’.

The card on Friday night also features a big all-Irish clash with Mayo’s Ray Moylette, a stablemate of O’Connor, taking on Monaghan’s Larry Fryers for the New England light welterweight title.

Headlined by Greg Vendetti, the bill also includes Mike O’Han, Antoine Vanackere, James Perella, Joe Farina, and Athlone’s Paddy Irwin who returns to the ring following almost two years away.

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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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