Tortured Dunlop gives The Dragon the step up he has begged for
Joe Fitzpatrick has tortured promoter Mark Dunlop into submission and as a result will start 2018 with a step up in class.
The talented 21 year old has been calling for tests ever since he turned over back in back in 2015 and it seems as if he will be granted his wish when he trades leather on the ‘Assassin’s Creed’ card in Belfast on February 3.
‘The Dragon’s’ progress had been stalled somewhat thanks to a relatively quiet 2017, but after he ended an eight month ring absence with victory over Zambian Mweyna Chisenga on the undercard of the massive Ryan Burnett v Zhanat Zahakiyanov’s unification fight in October, Dunlop seems to feel he has served his apprenticeship.
The Beflast based promoter and manager has paired the Commonwealth Games silver medalist with reigning Scottish lightweight champion Marek Laskowski.
The fighter who hails from Poland, but boxes out of Aberdeen, won’t have a record that will scare the confident Belfast fighter. However, despite losing eight of his 19 fights he comes to Belfast as a champion and with an impressive win over Scottish prospect Andrew MacKay.
The 29 year old could prove one of those reformed characters who excel in Cinderella fashion or it could prove a piece of inspired match making.
Either way Fitzpartick will be as ever confident and his promoter believes his charge will be handed the step up he has been crying out for when he takes to the ring at the Europa Hotel early next year.
“This is the step up Joe has been torturing me for, an early Christmas present if you like,” said promoter Mark Dunlop.
“At the minute it is scheduled for eight rounds. I am trying to make it for a title fight, possibly the BBBofC Celtic Lightweight title with Laskowski being eligible as their Scottish Champion.”
Fitzpatrick’s fight will play out on a card that includes British title hopeful Paul Hyland, World ranked James Tennyson, Fergal McCrory and the returning Daniel ‘Insane’ McShane.