Con Sheehan “caught up” following shock Sean Turner loss

If Con Sheehan‘s plan had played out as he would have liked, the big Tipperary man would have won the Irish heavyweight title last Saturday in Belfast.

A title clash with Dubliner Sean Turner was authorised by the Boxing Union of Ireland back in February, however the fight would be temporarily scuppered as ‘Big Sexy’ fell to a shock points defeat to Polish fighter Kamil Sokolowski in April.

This loss in Birmingham saw the Irish title fight, which was mooted for the Belfast BoxNation card at the Waterfront Hall last week, be postponed.

Neither fighter appeared on the bill, and Sheehan [5(1)-0] will return to action on Saturday night in Manchester. Here ‘Con The Bomb’ boxes on an MTK show at the Wythenshawe Forum.

It’s not ideal, and Sheehan admits that “it is what it is.”

“That fight will happen soon I’d imagine because we are looking to get this Irish title wrapped up and kick on, but I’m sure Turner will want to get a rematch with that lad that beat him.”

“So we are just taking it as it comes, it’s a pity there’s not too many heavyweights to fight for the Irish title at the moment – so I’m caught up really.”

It is not the only disappointment that Sheehan has suffered recently, with a fight date on a Kieran Farrell show falling through recently. The Clonmel boxer though is typically laid back, and is taking everything in his stride, using the delays to improve under trainer Peter Fury.

“The fight falling through last month didn’t bother me too much, these things happen. Camp’s been good, things are starting to click for me now.”

“I’m not there yet but we are the right path.”

On Saturday, 28 year old Sheehan faces Czech southpaw Tomas Mrazek [10(5)-64(22)-6]. A solid foe, the Central European has gone the distance in his past five fights in England.

Indeed Mrazek may be familiar to Irish fans having gone the distance with Tyson Fury on the Dunne-Poonsawat undercard in 2009, sharing three rounds with the future world champion. He has also gone the distance with Fury’s younger cousin and Sheehan’s team mate Fury, as well as the likes of Carlos Takam, Mariusz Wach, Sam Sexton, and even defeating a faded Danny Williams.

Sheehan is happy with the opponent and described how “I’ve seen a bit of him, he’s a tough man who’ll come to fight.”

“He was in with some big names along with Tyson and Hughie, so Peter knows well what to expect.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)