Huge summer clash in the pipeline for Stephen Ormond

Stephen Ormond is in line for a huge Summer clash according to the Dublin lightweight’s trainer, Paschal Collins.

The Murphy’s Boxing star won the IBF 135lbs Inter-Continental title last month with a lop-sided points victory over Marcos Jiminez in Boston. The impressive victory also saw Ormond [21(11)-2(0)] enter the organisation’s World rankings at #12.

Now it seems that the ‘The Rock’ is just a stones throw away from the World title shot he so desperately craves.

The current champion with the IBF is Cuban star Rances Barthelemy who comprehensively won the vacant belt in December against Russia’s Denis Shafikov. The next highest rated fighter is Sauerland’s Ghanaian KO artist Richard Commey [24(22)-0], whom Barthelemy is due to defend against by September. However, the unbeaten African yesterday took to social media to goad the Carribean champ for requesting an extension before defending against him.

Rumours are also circulating that Barthelemy is a possible opponent for Mayweather-promoted former champ Mikey Garcia, further muddying the landscape – and perhaps clearing the path for 32 year old Ormond.

Speaking to irish-boxing.com, Celtic Warriors Gym boss Collins revealed that Ormond is in talks for a IBF interim title/final eliminator fight (presumably against Commey) Stateside in “late June or late July.”

A fight between the two much-avoided brawlers would certainly be an all-action affair, and one which would appeal to Premier Boxing Champions backer Al Haymon.

Indeed, with Ormond’s PBC links and the mooted time-frame, one would be forgiven for hoping that the clash could perhaps feature alongside Carl Frampton’s rumoured Vegas Summer showdown with Leo Santa Cruz.

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