Conor Wallace is “looking forward to stepping up to the big stage”

Conor Wallace claimed his first Ulster Elite Senior title on Friday night, but knew before he stepped into the ring in Belfast that he would be champion.

Following the withdrawal of Scorpion’s Karol Dlugosz, Wallace was handed the light heavyweight title on a walkover.

The Holy Family Drogheda still got to fight at the Ulster Hall, and took on St Michael’s Athy middleweight John Joyce in a special contest.

Wallace got the win in an exciting fight and told Irish-Boxing.com that “it was brilliant to get a fight. I was very disappointed last week when my opponent pulled out, but I’m delighted to get the win.”

“It was a tough fight, John Joyce did well, he’s a good lad.”

While it’s not the sole factor, the Ulster Elite Senior Championships are playing a big part in selection for the Northern Ireland team for next year’s Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

Wallace is confident that he will find himself on the plane to Australia next April, and explained how “I’m going to be favourite going into it [selection], because I’ve been winning internationally and there’s no one in front of me so I can’t see why not.”

“The team will be verified soon and I hope to God that my name is on the team.”

Wallace made the move up to 81kg at the start of Summer, his body no longer able to shrink down to middleweight.

Well-adjusted to the weight now, the Newry man is looking excited to test himself in a major international tournament.

“I’m feeling a lot stronger,” he said.

“I can stand with those boys, take their shots, and bang them back in. ”

“I’m looking forward to stepping up to the big stage.”

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