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Opponent Scout Report: October 21st-22nd

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There are Irish in action up and down Britain this weekend in title tussles, comebacks, keep-busys, and grudge matches.

Friday October 21st
Alona Hotel, Motherwell
Shaun McShane [4(0)-3(0)-1] – Light Welterweight
Rocket McShane rematches champion Eddie Doyle [17(3)-3(2)] for the BBBoC Scottish title
– Record: Controversially defeated McShane over ten earlier this year. Was stopped in one by Willie Limond.
– Style: Busy with the jab and can sneak rounds but is easy to hit.
– Video: His early loss to Willie Limond.
– Verdict: A title fight and a chance for revenge for McShane.
A good opponent.

Stephen ‘Shortty’ Carroll [3(0)-0] – Light Welterweight
Shortty is up against Scottish journeyman Darren Da Prato [1(0)-10(5)] over six rounds.
– Record: Was outpointed by Omagh’s Dee Taggert in 2011, has been stopped by Masher Dodd.
– Style: Refreshingly aggressive for a journeyman, quite rough around the edges.
– Video: No footage available.
– Verdict: A keep busy fight ahead of a step up to eight rounds next month
An okay opponent.

Ulster journeyman Casey Blair [3(0)-15(3)] is also in action and will get the rounds in with Scotch light middleweight prospect Michael McGurk [6(2)-0].

Saturday October 22nd
Bolton Whites Hotel, Bolton
Jamie Cox [20(12)-0] – Super Middleweight
The Wrecking Machine faces Argentinian Martin Fidel Rios [20(11)-9(2)-3] WBO Inter-Continental title.
– Record: Knocked down the World title-chasing Jorge Sebastian Heiland earlier this year en-route to a close points loss (94-95, 93-96, 92½-97½). Lost widely to former WBO light middleweight title challenger Jimmy Kelly (89-99 87-100 89-98).
– Style: Boxes out of the Philly Shell. Throws from odd angles with a fair bit of pop, dangerous on the inside.
– Video: Highlights of his war earlier this year with Jorge Sebastian Heiland.
– Verdict: A strong choice for a comeback bout.
A good opponent.

Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Manchester
Michael Gomez Jr [5(1)-0] – Super Bantamweight
Gomez features in a six round bout against a to-be-confirmed opponent.

Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham
Frankie Gavin [23(14)-2(1)] – Welterweight
Funtime Frankie tops the bill against local rival Sam Eggington [18(10)-3(0)] for the WBC International title.
– Record: Two early Prizefighter losses before a brilliant 2015 where he defeated Shayne Singleton, Joseph Lamptey, Glenn Foot, and Dale Evans. Was outpointed and lost his British and Commonwealth titles to Bradley Skeete earlier this year.
– Style: Relentless, looks to bob and weave and get inside and unleash with volume. Doesn’t use the jab too much.
– Video: His points loss to Bradley Skeete in March.
– Verdict: A high-profile grudge match for Gavin and a chance to get back to winning ways in big fights following his World title loss to Kell Brook last year.
A good opponent.

Tommy Carter [1(0)-3(1)] – Middleweight
Irish Tommy is up against local favourite Ryan Kelly [6(1)-0] over four rounds.
– Record: A 22 year old up-and-coming prospect. Has been in with journeymen thus far.
– Style: Decent skill-set. Holds hands low and has perhaps yet to develop his man-strength so can be dragged into a war.
– Video: His stoppage win against Jamie Ingleby.
– Verdict: Big opportunity for Carter on a Matchroom card.
A good opponent.

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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