Haughian fights for Celtic title

30 April 2010 – By Cormac Campbell

Irish welterweight champion Stephen Haughian will fight Scotsman Kevin McIntyre for the vacant Celtic title on the undercard of McCloskey vs Lauri on June 11.

The Celtic crown, which is governed by the BBBC is open to boxers from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland a major bone of contention for up and coming boxers from south of the Irish border. However, Co Armaghs Haughian is eligible and believes the contest can catapult his career into the big time.

This fight will be a great stepping stone to bigger things, he told irish-boxing.com. They are using it as an eliminator for the British title. McIntyre is a southpaw, so it is good Im sparring Paul McCloskey everyday as Paul is one of the best southpaws in the world.

The bout will mark the end of a frustrating period for Haughian, which began with a disappoing draw at Dublin’s O2 in September and has since seen two fights fall through.

Fights have fallen through and that is absolutely gutting, he admitted.

You put yourself out for two months and end up out money. Youre leaving work, travelling for training and you have to become a social recluse for two months. But that is boxing and Im well used to it. But this next one is the stepping stone to bigger and better things.

Im in great shape, as I was training hard for those fights so all is not lost. My weight is brilliant at the minute Im weighing in at ten twelve and a half, so its the lightest I have been in a long time, he beamed.

Still the Irish Champion, Haughian admits that he is unsure if and when he would be defending the title.

There was talk of me fighting Willie Thompson and Chris OBrien if those fights come off they come off. But if I win the Celtic title I will be in line for the British title so things are looking up.