Rejuvinated Healy wants EBA champ Fitzgerald

JUNE 30 Jonny Stapleton

Punching above his weight Healy finishing career strong

Irish boxing’s renaissance man Ciaran Healy wants to continue his boxing rehabilitation by registering a victory over former foe Anthony Fitzgerald.

The 36 year old Irish light-heavy weight champion is enjoying an sensational Indian summer and he doesn’t want winter to come anytime soon.

Having stopped two Irish opponents, defeated an unbeaten English prospect and lost away in France in his last four outings the Belfast fighter bids to continue his resurgence with a victory over the EBA middleweight champion and WBA world number 11.

Healy feels he defeated ‘The Pride’ when the pair meet for the Irish middleweight title in 2010 despite taking the fight at just four days notice.

The two weight champ was so aggrieved by they decision that he now labels the National Stadium his Germany and stressed he knew he would have to knock out Brendan Fitzpatrick to win last Saturday.

And now having stopped one Dublin Fitz he wants a shot at another.

“I would love a rematch with Anthony Fitzgerald. I got four days notice the last time and I showed what I could do. I won that fight and would love another go. I have really come on over the last year. That is down to the team I have with me. The only one I lost was in France and we all know what can happen when you travel. I don’t want to be know as a journey man and hopefully my performances of late prove I am not. Fitzy said he would give me a rematch, but I am not sure now. Some people might not want to fight me after the knock outs. ”

Fitzpatrick to rise again

Healy has done a lot to disprove you can’t teach an old dog new tricks adage of late.

He is easily Ireland’s most improved boxer and driven by a desire to prove he is more than a journey man has impressed on the domestic front over the last 12 months.

Another catalyst behind the veterans return to prominence is his relationship with coach, Gerard McCafferty of John Bosco Gym.

McCafferty ensures Healy hits the pads and bags instead of the Belfast bars and his career is benefiting.

A drink free and dry Healy certainly seemed more effective last Saturday as he had talented Finglas prospect Fitzpatrick all but drunk on the canvas with a smashing hook in round one of their domestic dust up.

Being written off was another ingrediant in a packed motivation cocktail as Healy stressed he was also spurred on by a desire to prove people wrong.

Body Blow-

“ I caught him with a right hand left hook. Once I landed I knew he was gone. He was a little bit eager. I was waiting till he went to the body and then I let loose. It was always going to be that combination. I was down to be beaten I was brought to the National Stadium to loose. I needed a knock out. I have had a few bad decisions here, but I made sure that didn’t happen tonight. I put the hard training in. Gerard has got me out of the dumps and off the bottle. I haven’t missed the drink at all and my boxing is benefiting,but  two bars in Belfast are closed down over the last six weeks,” a very honest Healy joked before stating he over performed because he was underrated.

“No one really gave me a chance. It was a bit of extra motivation. Also I used to train in Breens, were Brendan is now, and I am sure they took the fight because they thought they had me beat. I have done great over the last year. There is still life in the old dog yet. I just want to keep wining over the next year and maybe add another Irish title to the collection.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

x