Luke Keeler open to World Title opportunity
Luke Keeler [16(5)-2(1)-1] has thrown his name into the ring for a world title shot.
The Dublin middleweight has stated that he would be willing to step up and take on WBO World champion Demetrius Andrade this summer in America.
Keeler scored a dominant rematch win over Conrad Cummings last month in Belfast to reclaim the WBO European rankings title.
The fight came after a break from the ring for the Ballyfermot boxer in which time he fully recovered from back and hand issues and further improved under coach Pete Taylor.
Considering his injuries, Keeler had turned down a potential fight with U.S. name Gabe Rosado two weeks previously and the Philly fighter was again suggested in the aftermath.
However, ‘Cool Hand’ also admits that he’d be up for facing the super slick Rhode Island southpaw that currently holds the brown belt.
Champion Andrade [27(17)-0] is aligned to Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions and is one of a number of top middleweights featuring on the DAZN over-the-top streaming platform in America.
The 31-year-old two-weight champion is due to make the second defence of his title this summer and Polish puncher Maciej Sulecki was the intended opponent. However, a hand injury has Sulecki’s participation in doubt and a final decision on his fitness will be made this weekend.
Enter Keeler, 32 this month, who Tweeted his openness to a big fight in America.
If @BooBooAndrade is stuck for an opponent I’ll be ranked top ten in updated WBO rankings and ready to bring an Irish army from Boston and our Celtic spirit and put on a show @DAZN_USA @EddieHearn 💪🏻👊🏼🍀🇨🇮🇺🇸 https://t.co/ZSPQ9AZ6Iq
— Coolhand Luke (@luke_keeler) April 18, 2019
Keeler is currently ranked #11 with the organisation but is expected to jump a number of spots following his win last month over Conrad Cummings which was technically a World Title Eliminator as it featured two ranked boxers.
Indeed, going through the ladder as is, Keeler is one of the few fighters that looks to be available and willing to take on ‘Boo Boo’.
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1. Gennady Golovkin
Fights Steve Rolls on June 8th
2. David Lemieux
Is both injured and now operating at super middleweight
3. Maciej Sulecki
Injured?
4. Jack Culcay
Lost last week to Sergey Derevyanchenko
5. Steven Butler
Scheduled to fight on May 2nd in Las Vegas
6. Alantez Fox
Was beaten by Andrade in 2017
7. Brandon Adams
Has agreed to a fight with Jermall Charlo in June
8. Jeff Horn
Talk of a fight with WBA Regular champ Rob Brant
9. Liam Williams
Currently calling out WBC Silver champ Hassan N’Dam
10. Patrice Volny
Possible
11. Luke Keeler
Possible
12. Marcelo Esteban
Possible
13. Artem Chebotarev
Possible
14. Conrad Cummings
Beaten by Luke Keeler
15. Obodai Sai
Knocked out in 2017 by Walter Kautondokwa – who was dominated by Andrade last year
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Keeler is currently in the beginnings of camp at the Colloseum Gym in Ballyfermot ahead of his next fight, Andrade or otherwise.
America looks likely to be the next stop for the Dub whom Hearn has a noted soft spot for.
