Three’s a crowd

2 April 2010 – By Steve Wellings

With talk heating up of a potential clash between Irelands premier flyweights, Jamie Conlan and Luke Wilton, one man from over the water is eager to put a spanner in the works and land himself a title shot.

Unbeaten Lancashire prospect Kieran Farrell has Irish roots and once the 19-year-old produces the appropriate documentation he aims to get involved in the title mix.

My Granddads from Dun Laoghaire, explained Farrell, who boasts a 4-0 (1 KO) record, and I spoke to my manager recently about contesting the Irish title because its the first belt I want to fight for, even before I go for a Central Area title.

Im waiting to sign a promotional contract with Frank Maloney and I know that Frank promotes Martin Lindsay as well so if he fights in Belfast I want to get on that card.

Kieran is not oblivious to the talents of John Breen-trained Conlan and East Belfasts Wilton. He is keen to engage with either in order to realise his title ambitions.

Ive never seen Jamie Conlan fight but I boxed his brother Michael as an amateur over in Ireland. He was a tricky boxer and slippery like a bar of soap, I couldnt catch him!

A mate of mine told me about Luke Wilton so I said if Lukes ever in Manchester well have to spar each other. Ive kept in contact with Wilton over Facebook but I see that he lost to Delroy Spencer so Im not sure exactly how good he is.

Farrell won every round against Spencer (who had already been beaten twice by Wilton before hitting it third-time lucky) and has also faced off with journeyman Kemal Plavci. Wilton narrowly bested Plavci in the Shorts Social Club back in 2008, to make it two opponents they have in common.

I beat Delroy pretty comfortably, continued Farrell, but I was a little immature in that fight because I had it in my head to try and stop him as he never usually gets knocked out when the rounds went by I was getting frustrated at not hurting him. Id like to box Spencer again because Id be more relaxed and if I just boxed him I think the stoppage could come.

Plavci didnt really have a dig and I honestly could have walked through his shots all day. He was tough though and took his lumps well. Im disappointed that my last three fights have gone the distance but Ill take the rounds and Im ready to move on to six round fights next.

For anybody who has yet to see Kieran fight, the man trained by Bobby Rimmer describes himself as an exciting come-forward stylist, with plenty of aggression and pressure. He boasts around 35 amateur fights, winning three quarters of them, claiming Junior ABA and four-nation titles along the way.

My power was starting to show through, towards the end of my amateur career, and I won the last dozen or so in a row, he said.

Farrell is aiming to keep active under manager Steve Wood and get that all-important eight round contest under his belt, which will then render him available for domestic honours.

Luke Wiltons doing an eight-rounder in his next fight and Im not far away from getting one myself and becoming eligible for the Irish title, Kieran enthused.

I need to get a birth certificate to prove my Irish heritage and link the family line down to me.

So when can we expect to see him next in action?

Im looking to get on a SKY show in late May Im a good ticket seller as well for the local cards. Ive heard plenty about Carl Frampton and Id like to get sparring with him at some point. Im told hes really strong and fights a bit like Miguel Cotto.

I want the Irish fans to know that Im a fighter to look out for and my next ambition is to get on a fight night over in Ireland.

Those Hunky Dory shows look really good and the Irish fans love their boxing.