Belfast welterweight turns professional
The first new Belfast pro of 2019 has been confirmed.
It has been announced this afternoon that Belfast welterweight Owen O’Neill has signed a managerial deal with Boxing Ireland Promotions and will debut in the coming months.
An amateur with St Michael’s and Monkstown, the power puncher finished as a runner-up in both the Ulster and Antrim Intermediates along with a second place finish in the Irish Third-Level Championships while representing Belfast Metropolitan College.
The 23-year-old has been training the past few weeks under Gerard McManus and Dan Anderson alongside Taylor McGoldrick and Ireland’s top welter Paddy Gallagher.
The Ulster fighter joins an exciting domestic scene – with 147lbs being one of the busiest weights in Ireland.
Boxing Ireland Promotions Head of Northern Operations Dennis Morrison said that “Owen has an exciting style which is suited for the pro game with knockout power in both hands and a relentless work ethic.”
O’Neill will debut on the ‘Celtic Clash 8’ bill in Belfast in May, full details of which will be confirmed next week – along with a big new signing for Boxing Ireland Promotions.
So far 2019 has seen Tallaght super featherweight Declan Kenna join the Boxing Ireland stable while Tyrone featherweight Callum Bradley and Armagh lightweight Sean Duffy have linked up with MTK – with Mullingar middle John Joyce relocating to Scotland to team up with Billy Nelson.
Follow Owen O’Neill on Twitter – @owieeoneill95
