“I don’t see why he wouldn’t take it” – Paddy Gallagher aiming for Frankie Gavin next
Paddy Gallagher [11(7)-3(0)] would love to kill three birds with one stone, but may have to settle for the more traditional two.
The Pat Man returned to winning ways with a win over Craig Kelly and performance which everyone, bar him, was very impressed with on Saturday night and, speaking after the clash. the Lenadoon welter revealed he was right in the British title mix.
With Bradley Skeete expected to vacate if he wins the crown outright on July 8th it opens the door for the BBBofC Celtic champion to plot an assault.
Gallagher feels he is on the verge of an eliminator and would love to fight former Irish light welterweight champion and renowned name Frankie Gavin [25(15)-3(2)] to earn a title tilt.
Indeed, he would love ‘Funtime’ in a clash that could double up as an eliminator and an Irish title fight, but that looks extremely unlikely now considering the BUI’s new rules.
Looking back on his win over former Scottish champion Kelly, Gallagher was not too impressed but noted how he is in a period of transition following his return to old trainer Gerard McManus.
The Commonwealth Games gold medalist told Irish-Boxing.com how “I think I got hit to much and I missed too much. I am not acting the big balls that is just how I am feeling now. I will watch it back and see again.”
“He hit me a lot in the first round. I did get him down and out. I let the heavy hands go in the end, but I wasn’t too happy with it to be honest.”
“I am caught between two styles. I am trying to box smarter, pace myself and relax myself. I am looking to apply smart pressure and not street fight.”
“I am happy with the win, obviously, but it was different for you than me, different for the corner and those at the back of the hall. As I said I’ll watch it back and see then. I might see it from the outside and realise I was hard on myself.”
The fight-anyone 28 year old wants to move forward toward further domestic titles. Gallagher notes how a fight with Gavin could be a possibility and, considering the Brummie’s links to Eddie Hearn, it could be a runner for the next Belfast Sky show.
Outlining his plans, Gallagher said “maybe next time out defend the Celtic title or fight for the Irish title, I can’t do both now! The British title will be wide open now too. I am ranked [on BoxRec] ninth and three of those ahead of me won’t fight for it.”
“[Amir] Khan, he won’t. [Sam] Eggington is European champion. Skeete, he is going to vacate and if Skeete beats Dale Evans, Evans can’t fight for it. Kell Brook is never fighting for it, so who is left?
“You have me, Frankie Gavin, Johnny Garton, and Theophane – and maybe he [Theophane] won’t fight for it either. So I am close now.”
“I would love to fight Frankie for it or even Frankie in an eliminator for a shot of the title. I don’t see why he wouldn’t take it. I can’t see him going on to fight for a World title at this stage can you?”
“We could have fought for the Irish title in a British eliminator, that would be great, but with the [Irish] board’s new rules maybe we couldn’t do both.”
“I think they could call for an eliminator and I will be in the mix.”
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
LISTEN: Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill speak to Luke Keeler and Paddy Barnes on Episode 6 of The Irish Boxing Show:
