Opponents announced for debutants on Celtic Clash 3 card

The opponents for the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ bill have been largely confirmed, and the majority of the debutants on the bill now know the identities of their first paid foes.

A record EIGHT Irish boxers will make their pro debuts in four round fights on the card at the National Stadium on Saturday September 9th.

As has already been reported, Dublin welter Niall O’Connor goes straight into an all-Irish clash with Belfast journeyman Alec Bazza.

Five of the seven remaining newcomers now have opponents names, with Kildare light heavy Chris Mullally and Dublin bantam Dylan McDonagh due to have an opponent confirmed very shortly

It’s a case of Irish debutant v Polish journeyman for most as they look to take their first big step in the big bad pro world.

Crumlin lightweight Martin Quinn starts off against Marcin Ficner [2(0)-17(7)]. The Polish veteran went the distance with African champion Mohamed El Marcouchi over six last year and was stopped in the third round by Stephen McAfee on the previous Celtic Clash card.

Donegal cruiserweight Michael Gallagher will debut against Polish puncher Pawel Raflewski [1(1)-1(1)]. The Grudziadz 23 year old was stopped in the first by Scottish prospect Grant Quigley last year.

The Irish debutant v Polish journeyman match-ups continue as Bray welter James Cahill starts off against Tomasz Goluch [4(2)-8(5)].

Then Dublin debutant Aiden Metcalfe fights experienced Pole Dawid Knade [4(0)-16(9)] in a super featherweight contest. The Poznan puncher’s last fight came in Dublin on the previous Celtic Clash card where he was stopped in the third by Kildare’s Allan Phelan.

One man who isn’t fighting a Pole is Colin O’Donovan. The Cork super bantam faces Bulgarian Trayan Slavev [3(2)-13(9)-1]. The Sofia 27 year old comes into the bout off the back of a points win in his home country in June.

Headlined by the Eric Donovan v Dai Davies BUI Celtic featherweight title fight, the ‘Celtic Clash 3: Building Champions’ card also features Regan Buckley v Carl McDonald, Anto Cacace, Gerard Whitehouse, Stephen McAfee. Keane McMahon, and John Joyce.

Tickets for the show cost €30 (Balcony), €40 (Gallery), €60 (Ringside), €100 (VIP Premium), and €15 (Under-15s gallery – must be bought alongside an adult ticket) and are available to buy from the boxers involved or online at Ticketmaster.ie