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October Preview – Full schedule for all Irish boxers

September was sadly more of a month that will be remembered for the fights that didn’t happen, with World title bouts for Andy Lee, Dennis Hogan, and Christina McMahon all falling through. Fear not however, as October promises to be a bumper month for Irish boxers all over the globe. Here irish-boxing.com gives you a comprehensive detailing of EVERY fight involving an Irish fighter this month

Starting us off on October 2nd in Brighton’s Metropole Hotel is Belfast journeyman Alec Bazza [0-9(1)-1] who takes on welterweight prospect Marcus Easton [5(1)-0-1]. Also on this card is Cyclone Promotions fighter Josh Pritchard [3(2)-0]. The Portsmouth featherweight is scheduled to box tough Pole, Krzysztof Rogowski [9(4)-14(7)].

On October 3rd, two Irish fighters step into the ring in sunny Australia. At the Alexandria Basketball Stadium in New South Wales, Laois super bantamweight TJ Doheny [12(8)-0] continues his ascent up the rankings when he defends his PABA title against Thailand’s Denkaosan Kaovichit [63(26)-5(4)-1], a former two-weight World Champion. Also on this card, Dubliner Darragh Foley [6(4)-1(0)] takes on Valentine Borg [10(7)-1(1)] in an eight round lightweight contest

October 5th to 15th sees the AIBA World Championships, and fans of our incredible amateurs will be able to follow the seven-strong Irish team as they hunt for medals, and Olympic qualification, in Doha, Qatar. The Irish squad for the championships is: Brendan Irvine (light flyweight, Captain Michael Conlan (bantamweight), Sean McComb (lightweight), Dean Walsh (light welterweight), Adam Nolan (welterweight), Michael O’Reilly (middleweight), and Joe Ward (light heavyweight).

World War 3 is set to break out on October 10th at the Manchester Arena. While Andy Lee’s defence of his middleweight title had to be postponed a second time following a cut to challenger Billy Joe Saunders, Irish fans will still have boxers to cheer for at the 21,000 amphitheater. Lee’s training partner, Belfast bantamweight Ryan Burnett [10(8)-0], will warm up for his November British title fight with Jason Booth on the Boxnation card. Also featuring will be light middleweight Jimmy Kilrain Kelly [15(7)-0] who recently claimed the WBC Youth title.

Meanwhile, at the York Hall in London, local lightweight Mickey O’Rourke [4(1)-0] continues his pro education – while at the Banks’s Stadium in Walsall, popular light welterweight Anto Upton [10(4)-0] fights in a six rounder.

Across the Atlantic, at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Boston, revenge is on the agenda for Danny O’Connor [26(10)-2(0)] who aims to avenge his first career defeat when he rematches Gabe Bracero [23(4)-2(0)]. Also on the Murphy’s Boxing bill is Clondalkin lightweight Stephen Ormond [18(9)-2(0)], who makes his debut for the outfit against local fighter Augustine Mauras [6(3)-1(0)-3]. Cork’s Gary O’Sullivan [21(14)-1(0)] is another Irishman who will trade leather on the ‘Premier Boxing Champions’ show and the Leesider will defend his NABA middleweight title. Finally, Jobstown featherweight Patrick Hyland [30(14)-1(0)] will return to the ring ahead of his planned World title assault.

Friday October 16th is another busy night for the Irish in North America. At the Aviator Sports Complex in Brooklyn, light heavyweight title contender ‘Irish’ Seanie Monaghan [25(16)-0] will headline against fellow bruiser, Don ‘Da Bomb’ George [25(22)-4(2)]. On the undercard of the Long Islander is Mullingar’s John Joe Nevin [4(3)-0]. One of Ireland’s greatest ever amateurs is pencilled in to fight Puerto Rican Jose Guzman [6(0)-11(4)-1] in a lightweight contest.

North of the border in Calgary, Canada, Alberta lightweight ‘Irish’ Cam O’Connell [8(5)-0-1] faces a tough test in Abraham Gomez [22(11)-10(3)-1].

Back on this side of the pond, Cyclone Promotions have a massive night of boxing in-store at the Meadowbank Sports Arena in Edinburgh. Here, Belfast super featherweight Anto Cacace will attempt to win the vacant BBBoC Celtic Title. ‘The Apache’ faces Dundee’s Ronnie ‘The Shark’ Clark [13(7)-2(0)-2]. Co-headlining is the homecoming Scottish lightweight Olympian Josh Taylor [1(1)-0] who, in just his second fight, takes on accomplished Hungarian Adam Mate [17(10)-5(3)]. A packed undercard also sees the return of Belfast featheweight Marco McCullough [12(8)-2(1) after his shock defeat to Zoltan Kovacs, as well as Belfast welterweight Matt Wilton [11(3)-0]. Finally, Cyclone’s Josh Pritchard fights for the second time in two weeks.

October 17th is chock-a-block with Irish talent. This night sees the only Irish show of the month, ‘Champions at the Europa’ in Belfast’s Europa Hotel. The Dunlop-promoted Dinner show is headlined by local lightweight Paul Hyland Jr [7(2)-0] who fights Hungary’s Bence Molnar [13(6)-5(0)]. Also featuring is BBBoC Celtic super featherweight James Tennyson [13(10)-1(1)] who takes on Georgian gatekeeper George Gachechiladze [18(11)-20(11)-1]. Additionaly, Belfast super featherweight hotshot James Fryers [9(3)-0] continues his development against Nottingham’s Barrington Brown [6(2)-13(2)], a recent Jono Carroll opponent. Popular 2014 Commonwealth lightweight silver medalist Joe Fitzpatrick [2(2)-0] rounds off the card.

Across the Irish Sea, at the York Hall, the light middleweight Upton Brothers will be putting on a double act. Pauly [9(1)-0] takes on Danny Brown [6(0)-23(5)] while Sonny’s [8(4)-2(1)] opponent is yet to be confirmed. Also on the card, Northern journeymen Moses Matovu [5(0)-62(6)] and Alec Bazza will show the ropes to novices Ossie Jervier [1(1)-0] and Bradley Smith [1(0)-0)] respectively.

On the same night at the Grand Central Hotel in Liverpool, Dublin light middleweight Bernard Roe [1(0)-0] will have his second professional outing.

In Birmingham’s Barclaycard Arena in front of the Sky television cameras, Matthew Macklin [33(22)-6(4)] will do some experimenting. The Tipperary Tornado will drop down to light middleweight to face Jason Welborn [17(6)-3(3)] as he aims to secure a fourth World title shot. Also on the card, former Irish champ Frankie Gavin [22(13)-2(1)] challenges for Sam Eggington’s [16(9)-2(0)] British and Commonwealth welterweight titles.

Last, but certainly not least, is Eamonn O’Kane [14(5)-1(1)-1] who has the opportunity of a lifetime at Madison Square Garden. Live on HBO PPV, the Derry man takes on Bahamanian Tureano Johnson [18(13)-1(1)] in an IBF middleweight world title eliminator, with the victor in-line for a shot at the winner of the cards main event – the massive unification fight between Gennady Golovkin and David Lemieux.

On October 24th, Irish title hopeful, Luke ‘The Duke’ Watkins [4(3)-0] returns to the ring. The Swindon cruiserweight fights at home in his first bout in almost nine months.

Friday October 30th marks some more American action with Donegal welterweight Michael McLaughlin [11(5)-1(0)-1] fighting at the Melrose Memorial Hall in Massachusetts

The last day of the month, October 31st sees more Irish action in the York Hall. Mullingar southpaw brothers Paddy and JJ McDonagh are both back in action. Elder JJ [12(6)-3(1)], a super middleweight, fights in a six rounder while light heavyweight Paddy [10(0)-2(0)] will be in for four.

Meanwhile, former Australian Prospect of the Year, Jake Hanney [4(4)-0] makes his MGM debut at the Evoque Night Club in Preston. The Dub will look to make up for lost time after a frustrating succession of injuries.

Also in action this night, at Bury’s Castle Leisure Centre, is evergreen cruiserweight Moses Matovu in his second fight of the month. The Black Mamba takes on youngster Sam Hyde [4(1)-0-1].

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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