Fresh Start Confirmed for Joe Fitzpatrick
Boxing Ireland Promotions have made their biggest new signing yet.
It has been announced that 2014 Commonwealth Games silver medallist Joe Fitzpatrick [8(5)-0] has linked up with the team behind the popular ‘Celtic Clash’ series.
The Divis lightweight, who is still only 24, was officially unveiled at a press event in Sylvester’s Café in North Belfast this afternoon.
Fitzpatrick has also been confirmed as the headliner of the upcoming ‘Celtic Clash 8’ show which is set for a to-be-announced date and location in Belfast this May.
Turning pro in 2015 under Mark Dunlop, ‘The Dragon’ quickly built his record but has suffered from inactivity of late – last fighting in October 2017.
Fitzpatrick was due to make his return at the weekend on the MHD ‘A Night To Remember’ bill at the Ulster Hall in a West Belfast derby versus Stephen Webb but would drop out in the weeks leading up to fight night as his amicable split from Dunlop was confirmed.
It is unclear if St James’s Webb will be the headline opponent on ‘Celtic Clash 8’.
Talented southpaw Fitzpatrick has been training recently with Sean McCullagh alongside top Andersonstown super feather Anto Cacace [16(7)-1(0)].
Experienced at six-round level, there is an obvious medium-term path of progression for Fitzpatrick. The BUI Celtic title, often utilised by Boxing Ireland, will surely be targeted before the Irish title, the BBBoC Celtic title, and the British Lonsdale belt.
The Boxing Ireland stable was reborn in 2016 centred around European and EU bronze medallist Eric Donovan who made a late move to the pros.
Starting in 2017 the outfit began to run shows again and stepped up their signing of new fighters, with six shows taking place in 18 months with record numbers of debutants.
Recently an expansion into Belfast has been planned, with Dennis Morrison being appointed Head of Northern Operations and Boxing Ireland Promotions having been involved in the ‘Back In Belfast’ card last November along with Team Alio and Prospect Boxing.
Now, with Fitzpatrick signed up, Celtic Clash now possesses the perfect Belfast small hall headliner to build shows around – starting with ‘Celtic Clash 8’.
Other Ulster fighters in the stable include Antrim cruiser Conor Cooke [2(1)-0], Larne super feather Kelvin McDonald [1(0)-0], Lurgan super feather Jamie Douglas, Drumgeen light middle Dominic Donegan, West Belfast middle Conor Doherty, and Poleglass welter Owen O’Neill.
The move rubberstamps the addition of a new player to the exciting Belfast scene alongside Dunlop, Witlon, and MTK – with Matchroom and Queensberry also regular visitors to the Titanic City or ‘The Capital of European Boxing’ as it has been recently labelled.
More majorly exciting news involving Boxing Ireland is due later this week.
Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography
