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Sky is the limit for Karl Kelly ahead of Feargal McCrory Irish title fight


Karl Kelly [2(0)-2(0)] claims he has found himself again and is ready to claim the Irish title and a slot on a Matchroom card with victory in the Ulster Hall this weekend.

As if fighting for the vacant Irish lightweight title at the legendary Ulster Hall in just his fifth fight was not enough carrot for ‘Little Sexy’, he has now been informed victory will secure him a slot live on the Sky Sports JDNXTGEN card in Peterbrough March 2nd.

Tommy McCarthy, who also features on Saturday on the MHD bill, will box Richard Riakporhe on the Matcroom bill and Kelly could join him if he upsets the odds against Feargal McCrory [9(3)-0].

It’s added incentive to defeat the Tyrone southpaw and an opportunity the Dubliner believes he can take now that he is feeling more at home working with manager Jay Byrne as a coach.

“Jay has told me I’m out in March 2nd on Sky Sports if I win this one. That would be another dream come true for me. Now I can’t wait for the weekend and the fight,” Kelly told Irish-Boxing.com before discussing his move from respected coach Declan Geraghty Sr back to long-term mentor Byrne.

“Camp has gone great. It’s my best camp since been I have been a pro. I am feeling good and at home again. I actually love Dec and how we got on but I just got frustrated so much and began hating training . I know I am not the best boxer in world but I just felt lost before.”

While Kelly, who has all Irish experience having fought Victor Rabei and Martin Quinn, suggests he is fit, ready, motivated, and confident – he avoided making any bold predictions. Indeed, he wouldn’t predict anything beyond he was going to enjoy the clash.

“I am looking forward to a good fight. 10 rounds in perfect as I’m super fit and ready to go. I’m not making any predictions,” he continued.

“I just hope I do what Jay has been telling me to do as I trust him and he has studied Feargal. I don’t know Feargal and ain’t watched him much so I’ll not pass any comment on him, but I hope he has prepared well. I don’t want a handy one.”

The Monkstown man hasn’t watched the John Breen-trained ‘Fearless’ and claims he also hasn’t spoken out of school with regard to him either.

john breen feargal mccrory eamonn magee

McCrory, who has impressive Matchroom previous, has claimed his opponent has been talking some smack in the build up. However, Kelly states that he hasn’t bad mouthed the Coalisland ticket seller either publicly or privately and wonders if McCrory’s accusations are an attempt to build the fight.

READ: Talking time is over for Feargal McCrory

“Feargal is telling lies,” he says with regard to what has been said.

“Maybe somebody is building the fight up or something but I have never spoke to him or anyone. Jay told me from day one do not speak of knockouts or that anymore as he wants me learning to box more and not go to wars all the time.”

“I am just living for the weekend now.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

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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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