Break out the cigars – ‘The Rook’ to debut in Belfast this October

One of Irish boxing’s more colourful characters will finally punch for pay in October.

Irish-boxing.com revealed in June former Belfast amateur star Ruari ‘The Rook’ Dalton had committed to going professional and was at that time weighing up managerial and promotional options.

The 2014 Commonwealth Games participant – Dalton won two fights and lost to Australia’s eventual flyweight gold medalist Andrew Moloney in the quarter finals – has now confirmed he has teamed up with MTK Global and has been handed a debut date.

The St James’s fighter, who is a former two-time Ulster Senior champion and holds a win over new boss Jamie Conlan, has been added to the October 11 #MTKFightNight set for the Ulster Hall.

The fighter, who has a competitive amateur loss to former WBA bantamweight champ Rau’shee Warren, will fight a yet to be named opponent over four rounds on a card that will be broadcast live on ESPN+ as and online via IFL TV.

The Belfast fighter had announced he would turn over back in 2016 and was scheduled to debut in Dublin on the Red Corner Promotions show at the National Stadium on Saturday November 5th.

At that time he was set to campaign in the super bantamweight division and was to be trained by John Breen. However, he moved to New York and his pro plans were put on hold.

The cigar smoking tee-total puncher is now back in Belfast, back in training and has a pro date.

Dalton is training with former stylish of note, long time friend and young trainer Dee Walsh.

The popular fighter with an aggressive style was said to be generating interest from a number of domestic promoters, but has signed with MTK where he joins a host of former amateur Irish talent.

Dalton will debut on a card topped by which includes Olympic hero Paddy Barnes versus faces undefeated European & Commonwealth flyweight king Jay Harris, and along side rising star Sean McComb taking on former IBO world title challenger Emiliano Dominguez Rodriguez – plus the likes of Lewis Crocker, Gary Cully, Pierce O’Leary as well as an intriguing clash for Marco McCullough, who faces Viorel Simion.