Shortty Carroll promises to raise game for headline title fight

Stephen Carroll [7(1)-0]. has warned Noely Murphy [11(2)-0] that he shines brightest under the spotlight.

The pair headline the upcoming Red Corner Promotions ‘Champions Elect’ card at the National Stadium in an intriguing BUI Celtic welterweight title fight.

Cork’s Murphy has fought more regular than the Ballyfermot challenger of late and has successfully went eight rounds twice Stateside since he won the title with victory over Avelino Vazquez on Red Corner’s February show.

However, Carroll points to his two victories in title fights as reason why he should be confident going into what promises to be an entertaining Dublin-Cork battle.

‘Shortty’ won the Celtic Nations welterweight title last November in Belfast against Jamesy Gorman and went on the road to defend it against Scottish champion Eddie Doyle in March.

That Scottish win was particularly impressive and could be one of Ireland’s best away performances this year if not recent times and it has proved to the 25 year old that he is better over the longer rounds and more motivated when something is on the line.

“I have to say I’m very confident going into this fight and very excited too. This should be a cracking fight. We are going to give the people the kind of fight they want to see,” he told Irish-Boxing.com.

“This fight excites me and I will perform better as a result. The more rounds in a fight and the bigger the stage, the better I am. It all suits me perfect. The more excitement, the better I perform,” he added before killing any hope of some trash talk.

“Noel is a great lad and is doing well, this is a big step up for both of us.”

Carroll was due to fight on the Celtic Clash 3 show set for the first week in September, but pulled out claiming he wasn’t content he had enough time to train, although it seems this clash in the pipeline may have played a part.

He claims his training is all sorted now and believes he will go into the October 7th clash fully prepared.

“I sorted out things in terms of the reason why I pulled off the [Celtic Clash 3] show. Tony asked can I box on both and it’s in the contract I can’t fight four weeks before this show. ”

“All my training’s going really well now and I am looking forward to the fight.”

All the talk before the Summer was of Sean Creagh and Carroll finally settling their differences in the ring, but the Ballyfermot man now has a different All-Irish fight on the cards.

However, Carroll does see a future with Creagh in it.

“Sean and myself can still happen our plans went out the window after he got beaten and I went another direction, but it can happen,” he added.

The ‘Champions Elect’ undercard features Irish champion Paddy McDonagh, debutant Karl Kelly, Jake Best, the return of Allan Phelan, Victor Rabei, a BUI Celtic super middleweight title scrap between Chris Blaney and Matiouze Royer, a BUI Celtic light middleweight title clash between Dublin’s Craig O’Brien and former Welsh champion Lee Churcher, and a super middleweight four-rounder between Vladimir Belujsky and Manny Bique.

Tickets cost €40 (general) and €60 (ringside) and are available from the boxers involved on the bill.

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography