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O’Leary plans to blast her way into big fights with KO win in Cork


‘A knockout’

It’s short and sweet in more ways than one when Siobhan O’Leary [2(1)-0] is asked for a prediction ahead of her third pro fight.

The Limerick based Kerry native plays a part on the first show to come to Cork in over a decade tomorrow night and is adamant she will take the short route to victory.

O’Leary doesn’t just want the short route to victory, she is also looking for a quick route to the top.

The super featherweight is confident of victory at the Neptune Stadium and doesn’t want to hang around once it’s secured.

Beat Slovak Denisa Cicoova on the Martin Horgan-promoted show and the Boxing Ireland fighter will be gunning for title fights.

“Victory. Simple as,” she adds keeping to the straight to the point theme.

“I have no doubt I will stand 3 and 0 after my fight tomorrow. From there it’s time to start building toward bigger fights for me, progression and onto titles. Women’s boxing is a small pool, I can be moved quicky and that’s what the plan is.”

The TNT prospect has name dropped Elaine Greenan in the build up to this clash and is interested in becoming one half of the first ever female Irish title fight. It’s something that certainly fits the Celtic Clash remit.

With BUI Celtic title fights for women taking place over six two-minute rounds – and Irish title contests over eight – O’Leary certainly isn’t far from a big fight but is focused on the task at hand.

“I’ll chat with Steve (Sharp) and Len (Gunning) and we can go from there,” says the Killarney fighter before discussing her first pro fight in Munster.

“Look it anywhere that has proximity to Kerry and Limerick is going to be great for all of the boxers from Munster. Being able to box in venues close to where I’m based is not only great for me but for my family, friends and supporters.

“It’s tough at times asking someone to trek to Dublin, and with the cost involved, Cork has been ideal this time. I think Steve (Sharp) and Len (Gunning) will see how successful the Munster boxers do from this show, which will hopefully bring more shows to this end of the country.”

While O’Leary is predicting a knockout win this time around she could have brought a sledge hammer to proceedings last time out and still have been brought the distance.

Not only was Bojana Libiszewska teak tough the Pole came to fight. O’Leary had to work hard to get a deserved win, but upon reflection is delighted with the test.

“She was very tough, probably the toughest I’ve faced in all of my boxing. What I’ve learned is that I belong there with these women. I can stand and trade with these women and I can beat them fair and square.

“I came out of the fight knowing I had a lot to improve on, turning defense into offence, working on my movement etc. Look I will always back myself especially if it’s put to me by a tough opponent, so having my grit tested was good for me, a good hard learning fight which will stand to me.”

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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