Anto Upton eyeing Bhoys Battle with Danny O’Connor
Anto Upton [15(6)-1(0)] will continue to build momentum ahead of a potentially massive 2018 this coming Friday.
The Belfast light welterweight keeps busy on the Ginley Promotions ‘Danger at The Devenish 2’ bill as he continues to target further titles in 2018 – with one name in particular in mind.
Upton has seen two changes of trainer over the past year and a half, but believes he has finally gotten into a rhythm at the Immanuel Boxing Academy.
The former English champion linked up with Ray Ginley when he returned home earlier this year and is now approaching his second fight with the young coach.
Upton is in a good place, and told Irish-Boxing.com that “I’m very happy and grateful for my team MTK and ginley promotions keeping me busy.”
“I feel now that I am finally settled and ready to crack on next year with plenty of fights and hopefully some titles.”
It’s a second fight in less than three months for Upton who was one of the stand-out performers on the previous Ginley Promotions bill.
That time he made a huge statement with a sixth round stoppage of Innocent Anyanwu.
While opponent Miguel Aguilar [11(5)-38(8)-1] may not provide the same level of opposition, the Nicaraguan is still a durable foe.
Upton however is aiming for another knockout against a foe who has been stopped just once in his past 14 fights – that being against Phil Sutcliffe earlier this year.
“I do like to stand out and put on great performances for people that come to support me,” reasoned Upton.
“I like to have people going home and talking to friends and others about my performance and my skills. It makes all the hard training worth it.”
“I don’t know much about him [Aguilar]. All I know is what I’m going to do and that’s get another win by stoppage. I’m confident of that.”
With the greatest of respect to his opponent this weekend, the six-rounder is more an exercise in keeping sharp ahead of 2018.
Domestic fights with the likes of Tyrone McKenna have been mooted, but the 25 year old has another foe in his crosshairs.
Irish-American, and fellow Celtic FC fanatic, Danny O’Connor [29(11)-3(1)] claimed the WBC International Silver rankings title with a third round stoppage win over Daniel Gonzalez.
Upton would like a Hoops showdown with the 32 year old Bostonian southpaw and outlined how “I have been keeping an eye on Danny O’Connor for a while now.”
“He’s a good fighter and has just won a good title so I thought I’d send him a message to see if he would be game for defending his title against me as I wouldn’t mind having that green strap round my waist.”
“It would be a good clash of styles but I feel my youth and ability and the hard work I put in would win me the fight.”
“I would fight him anywhere if he was to take the fight. I would fly to America and fight him in his back garden no problems at all.”
congrats on the win 👍🏻 ever fancy defending that green strap against a fellow tim I will jump in for a knock 👌🏻🍀
— Anthony Upton jr (@AntouptonJR) November 28, 2017
