‘Da Crooke’ Conor Cooke craves Celtic Title clash

Conor Cooke [3(1)-0] has called for step up fights.

The Antrim crusierweight registered his third pro win on at the Devenish just over a week ago – and speaking after was adamant he wants titles.

‘Da Crooke’ beat previously undefeated Cork based Pole Staz Tomasevski ]1-1(0)] on Celtic Clash 9, but was disappointed the win didn’t come over six – and not just because he felt a longer distance would have meant a stoppage win.

The Dee Walsh trained fighter was hoping to for an extra two rounds so he would become eligible to fight for the BUI Celtic title next time out.

The 32-year-old doesn’t feel like he has time on his side and is in a rush to compete at a higher level.

“I was disappointed it wasn’t six I feel fit enough for six and I wanted six. I wanted to be eligible for the Celtic title,” he told Irish-boxing.com.

” I want to get my name out there properly. I am getting old. I don’t want lads with 20-30 loses I want decent fights. I want two fights before Christmas but I know I won’t get them.”

Cooke is in a difficult position as domestic rivals are few and far between and domestic shows outside Belfast drying up somewhat. He seems well aware of both, but that doesn’t dampen the desire to progress.

“I have been crying for fights since I turned over. I want to get busy, but it’s out of my control. I just turn up win and go home,” he continued before revealing he felt no ring rust after returning from a short sabbatical.

“It’s nearly a year now, but I didn’t feel any ring rust. I felt really good. I have been training my balls off. I am 32 and I have been in combat sports since I was 12 and I think this is the hardest I have trained. “

Six rounds would have ensured Cooke became Celtic title eligible, but according to the fighter would have also made sure he registered a second career knockout win.

“I thought it was going to be a six rounder. I had planned to get four good rounds in and step it up, but it was only four.

“I knew i hurt him in the third, so in the fourth I stepped it up that bit more and in fairness to him he hung in there. I went for the finish, but didn’t get it. One more round and I think I would have.”

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