Carroll: Geraghty would be a leap back- he doesn’t want the rematch anyway

VICTORY over Declan Geraghty more rocketed than catapulted Jono Carroll’s career forward. The Dubliner made the most of the spotlight afforded him in the build up and indeed in the ring.

The win afforded him the chance to enter and eventually win Prizefigher adding names like Stephen Foster and Gary Buckland to his record en route to securing a Matchroom contract.

The bout with the former Senior Champion was awarded the Irish Fight of the Year and helped a fighter unknown to most in October to claim the 2015 Irish Prospect of the Year award.

Indeed so far has the Celtic Warrior Gym puncher come since that November win that he believes a rematch with his fellow young prospect would represent a ‘leap back’.

So all action was the 3Arena scrap that people have been calling for a sequel, but Carroll, who makes his Matchroom debut on April 11, believes ‘Prettyboy’ isn’t keen, suggesting it has the potential to end up being a career ruining bout.

“It is a bit of a step back for me if I did go on to fight Deco, but as I said I am just a fighter I will fight anyone they put in front of me,” Carroll told Irish-boxing.com

“If Matchroom put Deco in front of me I will fight Deco, but all that has to do with money and titles and everything else. People keep talking about the Deco fight and understandably so, it was such an exciting fight, but that is the past I am looking to the future. Deco is behind me that would be me taking leaps backwards and to be honest with you I don’t think he wants it either. If he gets that rematch and I beat him where does that leave him. Deco is an up and coming prospect and so I am I, so even though he is calling for it I don’t think he wants it.”

Geraghty will always be mentioned in with regard to Carroll, but some would argue they are best avoiding each other until one is a champion. Both have secured Matchroom fight dates over the Summer and have the chance to further their career. ‘King Kong’ has a five fight deal with Eddie Hearn’s promotional company and is excited about 2015.

“it’s a dream come true. I have been waiting on these kind of moments, to fight on such big cards and have a big promoter behind you.

“Just to be part of Matchroom now is exciting. I am just a boxer and I just want to get in do my job and fight, but to have the bonus of doing that on big cards and in front of big crowds in great,” he added before explaining his hopes for the year.

“I am just looking to fight as much as possible this year and avoid injuries. I want to keep learning my trade. I am not going to jump into title fights for the sake of it. Don’t get me wrong I want titles and when they come around I will be ready for them.

“The perfect 2015 would be get the five fights that are on the Matchroom contract, keep injury free and keep winning. I have looked at a few opponents that I would like to fight, but they are the big names with belts. I am looking at them and saying to myself ‘i could take him’, but I know I have to earn those fights.”