Conrad Cummings dismisses online boo-boys ahead of small hall headline slot

Conrad Cummings [12(5)-1(0)-1] headlines his first show since November 2015 this coming weekend – and he doesn’t care what you think.

The Coalisland middleweight tops the ‘Danger at The Devenish 3’ bill in West Belfast as he continues to adjust to new trainer Jamie Moore and prepares for his April showdown with Luke Keeler – who also features on the card.

Cummings was mocked by some for the small hall headline slot, with online detractors claiming it was a fall from grace for the Tyrone fighter who was formerly part of Cyclone Promotions – however ‘Mr. Dynamite’ doesn’t see it this way.

Noting how crucial activity is in boxing, Cummings has laughed off this online criticism and explained how “I’m headlining in the Devenish and these fights – the ones people are tweeting me laughing at – these are the fights I almost begged the McGuigans for before my other bigger fights because I knew I needed them and I didn’t get them.”

Cummings featured at the same venue in December against Norbert Szekeres and it will be journeyman opposition again on Saturday, with Nicaraguan Michael Mora [11(4)-21(9)] occupying the away corner for the six rounder.

The 26-year-old is happy for the run-out ahead of the Keeler clash and noted how “these fights are perfect and touch wood I’ll do what I did last time.”

“I could have probably blown him [Szekeres] out in a round but I wanted to practice what I was doing with Jamie. It went perfect and it’s what I plan on doing again.”

Dubliner Keeler also appears on the bill in what will be his first fight under new coach Pete Taylor having fallen victim to the Citywest cancellation last week.

‘Cool Hand Luke’ represents a huge fight for Cummings, and the WBO European title defence is the sort of match-up he has been craving.

The Ulster fighter stated: “big fights and big venues. I’ve been away for a while. I won my WBO European title last March, first defence this April, 13 months later which is sort of self-explanatory for the year I’ve had.”

“I’m getting the butterflies that I haven’t had in years. With my new team I feel like I’m in control of my career now. It’s not a ‘jump’ – ‘how high?’ sort of thing.”

“I’m honoured that I have great support, it’s something that spurs you on. Even when I was sitting doing nothing I still had people tweeting me, it motivates you. I’ll reward them on April 21st.”

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