Irish light heavyweight title fight delayed

An Irish title fight is coming at light heavyweight, however we will have to wait a little longer than anticipated.

Irish champion Paddy McDonagh [12(0)-2(0)] is yet to fight since beating Stevie Collins Jr to reclaim the belt last Summer.

Moves had been for the Mullingar southpaw to defend against Galway-Bristol hardman David Bailey [7(1)-0] – the current mandatory challenger – on the Ireland’s Last Man Standing bill in Dublin on Saturday March 3rd.

However, with negotiations ongoing and Bailey suffering a broken thumb in training, the proposed fight has been delayed.

McDonagh will still feature on the Last Man Standing card at the National Stadium, joining Dylan McDonagh, Vladimir Belujsky, Dylan Moran, Cillian Reardon, Victor Rabei, and Allan Phelan on the early undercard of a bill which features a vacant Irish light middleweight title fight between Craig O’Brien and Jay Byrne as well as the inaugural eight-man single-elimination tournament at middleweight.

It’s a welcome return to the ring for Assassin Boxing’s McDonagh who was forced out of a date in October due to injury.

Bailey, who is now training with Andy O’Kane having previously been with Paddy Fitzpatrick, remains keen for the clash and the self-managed fighter is expecting purse bids next month.