Crank Whitehouse looking abroad as Irish rivals refuse to fight

Gerard Whitehouse [7(2)-0] is reluctantly ready to start looking abroad for challengers following his latest win.

The Balbriggan welter claimed that three Irish fighters turned down to chance to fight him for a title on the Celtic Clash 3 card, instead forcing him to settle for Czech journeyman Gergo Vari.

The 22 year old reiterated afterwards that he ready and willing to take on all comers in a bid to fulfil an Irish title dream – but noted that he may have to look further afield.

“I wanted to step up more for this fight, but I get in the ring and beat whoever they put my way. I have to look at it like that, but I know for this fight there were three Irish lads offered the fight,” Whitehouse told Irish-boxing.com after his stoppage win.

“They were all offered this fight for a Celtic title, but there was no hearing from them. We got nothing back, well nothing positive about making the fight anyway. What can you do? Some people might criticise, but people are not willing to make the fights what can we do?”

Andy Lee’s cousin is hoping he gets a chance to buckle a belt around his waist next time out.

However, after being rebuffed by a host of Irish fighters, he feels he may now have to look abroad for a test.

“As far as I am concerned that is an eight rounder done now. I want a belt now. I’d fight for any title. A Celtic title doesn’t really excite me as much the Irish”.

“The Irish means a lot more and it helps with the ranking. That is the one I want, but we might have to go the Celtic route with a Welsh or Scottish lad, maybe some other title against a good French fella or something like that,” he added before stressing he doesn’t get too stressed by the fact he can’t secure domestic opposition.

” I don’t get too pissed off because I know I am willing to fight the Irish lads or good names, but it looks like they are not keen – so I will do what I have to do to keep progressing, ” Crank continued before reflecting on just his second stoppage win.

It was a one-sided affair against Czech fighte Gergo Vari, eventually being waved off in the fourth.

Whitehouse described how “I was just patient in there picking my shots. I was loading up hard to the body and that took it’s toll in the end. He was rangy and I kept making him fall short and punishing him then.”

“When you have more experience with these journeymen it helps, you kind of learn what they are about and the best way to go about it with them.”

“I didn’t want to take him out too soon. Obviously it’s nice to get rounds so I just kept countering him and I was enjoying it.”

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography