Returning Joe Fitzpatrick promises to make Stephen Webb a journeyman

Joe Fitzpatrick [8(5)-0] claims he will hit ‘soon-to-be journeyman’ Stephen Webb so hard that the whole of St James’s will feel the pain.

‘The Dragon’ faces Webb in an anticipated Falls Road derby which headlines ‘Celtic Clash 8’ at the Devenish Venue and is confident he is going to leave a host of his neighbours upset.

It represents a tricky return for the Commonwealth medal winner, who hasn’t fought since late 2017, but he is adamant he will register victory and show that he is the big man at lightweight in Ireland.

“I’m going to hit him that hard his mates in St James’s will feel it,” the Divis southpaw told Irish-boxing.com through a cheeky smile before suggesting Webb will become a permanent away fighter following their May 25th clash. 

“A soon-to-be journeyman,” he adds when asked of his opinion of his ninth pro opponent.

It’s cheeky from a fighter some have put in the ‘frustrating talent’ category. Fitzpatrick seems to rejoice in the all-Irish element of the fight and is excited about the West Belfast derby feel.

He described how “it’s great to be topping the bill, especially in a local derby. St James’s vs Divis, fucking hell, the atmosphere will be unreal.”

“Just you wait, it’s only five weeks away. I’ll show you how it plays out then.”

The pair were scheduled to meet in February of this year on the MHD ‘A Night To Remember’ card at the Ulster Hall, but Fitzpatrick’s move to Boxing Ireland Promotions delayed his return – and Webb’s second fight.

Prior to that meeting the pair shared verbal blows and there seemed a bad blood element to the build-up.

Webb [1(0)-0] played that down when he last spoke to Irish-Boxing.com and Fitzpatrick followed suit somewhat by admitting he does respect his fellow Belfast puncher.

READ: Stephen Webb promises to show class v Fitzpatrick

The slick southpaw claims that when he explains what he will do to Webb he is merely speaking truth.

“I respect any man who steps into a ring. I have a policy and it is honesty. I’m the better boxer I’m going to prove that,” stated Fitzpatrick.

May 25th at the Devenish will see the latest Mac Man fight for the first time since October of 2017 and the fighter himself is chomping at the bit to return to the ring.

Fitzpatrick outlined how “I’m overly excited about getting back.”

“It was such a hard blow when I wasn’t able to make my return to the ring at the Ulster Hall. I’m excited.”

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The undercard next month features Cavan light middleweight Dominic Donegan, Lurgan super feather Jamie Douglas, Larne featherweight Kelvin McDonald, Dublin light welter Jake Hanney, Antrim town cruiserweight Conor Cooke, Derry middleweight Sean McGlinchey, East Belfast welter Tony Nellins, West Belfast pair Conor Doherty and Mathew Fitzsimons, and North Belfast duo Ciaran McVarnock and Owen O’Neill.

Tickets for the night are priced at £30 (unreserved) and £45 (ringside) and are available from all the boxers involved or online at universe.com (CLICK HERE).