Collins: Ormond’s world title hopes don’t revolve around Flanagan

STEPHEN Ormond’s World title hopes don’t revolve around Terry Flanagan reassures coach and manager Pascal Collins.

Ormond was set to fight undefeated Manchester lightweight Terry Flanagan for WBO lightweight mandatory status, but the Dubliner was pulled out of the fight due to illness.

Promoter Francis Warren claimed the fight would be rescheduled for next year, but team Flanagan have since won purse bids to promote a British title fight between the Manchester fighter and Scotty Cardle.

News of that fight raised questions about Ormond’s status, but Collins stresses as WBO World #3 Ormond is in World title eliminator pole. The Celtic Warrior Gym boss says Ormond’s promoter Frank Warren is obligated to find another foe for Ormond to compete against if he decides to send Flanagan another route.

Collins also sees a possibility where, if Andy Lee defends his WBO middleweight in Ireland, Ormond could fight Juan Diaz for the vacant lightweight title in Ireland.

“Remember Stephen Ormond is the one with the ranking not Terry Flanagan. He is third in the WBO and Flanagan is nine so Stephen is the one in line for the eliminator if not the title,” Collins told Irish-boxing.com.

“So that means Ormond isn’t reliant on Flanagan to fight an eliminator. If they want Flanagan to fight for a British title or go a different route they have to get another fighter to fight Ormond in the eliminator. If they don’t they are not doing there job. Moses and Diaz will most likely fight for the vacant title as one or two, but as #3  Ormond is next in line.

“Hopefully that fight can be made for around February. There is also a chance with Andy Lee winning the World title that they could pay Moses step aside money and make Ormond Diaz for the World title,” Collins added before explaining why Ormond had to pull out of the scheduled December 13 Flanagan bout.

“It is unfortunate Ormond and Flanagan didn’t happen, but the doctor pulled Stephen out as he was sick. It happens in boxing and it is unfortunate.”