Belfast show dealt massive blow by headline opponent withdrawal
The big pro show in Belfast next Friday [December 7th] has been hit by another massive blow.
During the week it emerged that the chief support bout, a BBBoC Celtic welterweight title fight between Lewis Crocker and Martin Harkin, was off the bill and this afternoon it has been confirmed that the headline opponent is now out.
READ: Lewis Crocker v Martin Harkin title fight OFF
Tyrone middleweight Conrad Cummings [15(7)-2(0)-1] was due to top the will in a vacant WBO European title fight with Brian Rose [30(8)-5(3)-1] but the Blackpool boxer will no longer be involved.
No official reason for Rose’s withdrawal was disclosed.
Cummings will now fight Hungarian light middleweight champion Ferenc Berki [11(5)-0] for the rankings title he previously held last year.
The 23-year-old Budapest boxer won his national title in his last fight, back in February, when he edged game journeyman Laszlo Fazekas on a majority decision.
Unlike many Hungarians who build up a quick string of wins and a healthy unbeaten record before becoming journeymen, Berki is viewed as a genuine prospect.
The initial match-up between Cummings and Rose was due to lead in to a match-up between the winner and Luke Keeler [15(5)-2(1)-1].
The Dubliner, who won the vacant belt with a decisive victory over Cummings in April, was due to face former light middleweight world title challenger Rose in London in a defence of this strap on December 14th.
A back injury forced Keeler out of this fight and he would vacate his belt for Cummings-Keeler on the condition that the winner of this competitive match-up would face him in the new year.
It is unclear if this arrangement remains for the winner of Cummings-Berki.
The card on Friday now comprises of Cummings-Berki along with appearances for Gary Cully, Sean McComb, Poddy McCrory, Paddy Gallagher, Stevie Collins Jr, Phil Sutcliffe and debutant Stephen Webb.
