World champ Saunders sends message to potential challenger Cummings after fight cancellation

Conrad Cummings [11(5)-1(0)-1] was hoping to boost his WBO world ranking tonight with a successful defence of his WBO European rankings belt – but instead he finds himself fight-less.

One of a number of Irish fighters hit by the cancellation of the Carl Frampton homecoming bill, the Tyrone middleweight was due to face Robert Swierzbinski in one of the chief support bouts at the SSE Odyssey Arena.

However, following the freak injury of headline opponent Andres Gutierrez, Cummings will have to wait on his chance to build upon his #13 ranking with the WBO.

The Coalisland fighter has his sights set on champion Billy Joe Saunders [24(12)-0]. After the English boxer’s mandatory defence against Avtandil Khurtsidze set for earlier this month fell through, the ranked Cummings threw his name into the mix as an unlikely replacement challenger.

Talks between the two teams occurred, but in the end Saunders elected to face former title challenger Willie Monroe Jr, and will meet the American on September 16th.

Cummings, who won his rankings belt with a destructive stoppage of Gogi Knezevic, is still keen to face Saunders, who dethroned Limerick’s Andy Lee, in the near future – and it seems as though the feeling is mutual.

This afternoon the Irish boxer received a message on social media from the champ stating “chin up bro, keep yourself ready. We dance soon.”

‘Mr. Dynamite’ Cummings replied quickly with “much respect to you champ! We do it after your next win, good luck!”