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Peter Pan Stephen Ormond believes he’s better than ever – and wants a big fight


Stephen Ormond [27(13)-5(1)] got his 2019 up and running at the weekend and the soon-to-be-36-year-old claims he is better than ever.

The Dublin lightweight notes that his fast and furious style is becoming more refined by the year and he is constantly seeing improvements.

Ever since his famous win over Derry Mathews a full five years ago, Ormond has suffered rotten luck, false dawns, and painful defeats.

However, ‘The Rock’ has stood firm and is hoping for one final run of fights in 2019.

This run to titles restarted on Saturday in Brentwood where, in a bout which was dropped from six rounds to four at late notice, he outpointed Nicaraguan welter Oscar Amador.

Ormond was happy with his night’s work and explained how “it was good because the guy was heavier than me and a live opponent, I enjoyed it. It felt good, considering.”

“It was good to get out there. I’m not used to doing four-rounders so I probably rushed it a bit.”

“I’ve probably only done one or two four-rounders my whole career. It was nice though because I went to get some food and then could chill out while the rest of the card was unfolding. ”

36 next month, discussions with Ormond invariably will feature a reference to the calendar but the Clondalkin fighter feels like he will never get old.

“Age, people keep saying that,” Ormond notes before explaining that he is fighting smarter and better.

“I just don’t feel that way, I feel that I’m getting better with the experience. I’m starting to slow down, see better shots.”

“Even with that guy there, usually, a couple of years ago, I would try to go into him, make a war of it with a bigger guy.”

“Now I was stepping off, with the experience, saying ‘no way am I going in there, I’m going to wait, let him run around and I will move around and win on points’. Those little things come with experience, it works that way,” he added before calling for a big fight.

Numerous names have been suggested.

His own team are keen on the likes of Ricky Burns while fans have suggested domestic dust-ups with either James Tennyson or Gary Cully.

Ormond himself doesn’t care as long as it’s a big one.

“Maybe I’m Peter Pan and now I’m ready for a big fight,” he stated.

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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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