Tough Job-burn – O’Brien handed tricky test on Belfast card

 

It’s more test than keep busy as Craig O’Brien [11(1)-1(1)] fights in Belfast next month.

‘The Iron’ is looking to stay active ahead of potential return to America with fights on Murphys Boxing’s cards.

Three clashes with journey men have helped put distance between the Dubliner and his sole career defeat, a stoppage reverse to Anthony Fowler live on Sky Sports.

The Irish light middleweight champion would be favoured to increase the winning run to four when he fights on the October 25 ‘He Who Dares’ card, but this time victory won’t be routine.

Owen Jobburn [5(1)-5(1)-2] provides the opposition on the last of three cards to visit the city in the month.

The English fighter will be familiar to Irish fight fans as he holds a win over Casey Blair and twice fought Chris Blaney.

He lost to the ‘Ginja Ninja’ in the Last Man Standing tournament, but managed to draw with the Ricky Hatton trained fighter up at super middleweight as recent as May.

Jobburn will certainly come to win – and while he will test the will of the Dub he will provide the kind of test O’Brien will welcome.

As a purist and stylist of sorts the Pascal Collins trained fighter doesn’t always get to show his skill set against ultra defensive fighters. Jobburn’s aggressive approach should allow him to show his footwork, spacial awareness and counter punch capabilities.

No doubt the Celtic Warrior Gym fighter will have to be fit, should have his chin tested, but it is the kind of fight his following can get excited about during somewhat of a transition period.

The bout is the second interesting clash to be added card over the weekend following conformation Cathy McAleer will challenge for the vacant Commonwealth title at the Devenish on October 25.

The card will also host the debut of Darren O’Neill will debut, the former amateur standout jumping straight into a light heavyweight six rounder.

Dylan Moran of Waterford will also appear in what will be his second fight in a matter of weeks – the first playing out in Mexico.

Undefeated light middleweight Cillian Reardon takes a step up as he faces Jake Best, a fighter who holds a win over Cavan’s Owen Duffy.

‘The Freak’ Matthew Fitzsimons makes his return to the ring and adds further Belfast interest as does debutant Ruadhan Farrell.

Also on the Mickey Helliet Slater Sports show will St Michaels Gym Inchicore heavyweight Paddy Nevin and Paul Hyland Jr.