Stephen Ormond to make return to lightweight

Dublin’s Stephen Ormond [22(12)-3(1)] is planning for a return to lightweight and is targeting all the big names in the division.

The Clondalkin man missed weight for his IBF lightweight World title eliminator with Alejandro Luna in August, coming in initially four pounds over the 135lbs upper limit, and being unable to shed the excess weight. While there was controversy regarding the scales that Ormond was provided with at the hotel, it looked like a move up to light welter was on the cards for a man who had began to struggle fitting his wide-shouldered frame into the weight.

‘The Rock’ subsequently weighed in at 145lbs and 143.5lbs for his following two fights, a shock knockout loss to Zoltan Szabo and a comeback win against Daniel Bazo respectively.

However, since signing with MGM and spending a period of time in Marbella sparring, Ormond now believes that he can get back down to lightweight.

Speaking to Irish-Boxing.com following his win over Bazo at the weekend, Ormond explained that “I was very surprised, I went over to Spain and the weight came off me, so I’m going to go back down to lightweight. The next fight I’m going to break the 140lbs limit, just underneath it, and then the next fight I’ll be ready to do nine stone nine pounds.”

The divisions current champions are Dejan Zlaticanin (WBC), Jorge Linares (WBA), Robert Easter Jr (IBF), and Terry Flanagan. Ormond doesn’t have a particular name in mind and states that “I just want to get fights, get active, then I will chase all the champions. With MGM behind me I’ll get there.”

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