Jay Byrne handed big test on Dublin card
Jay Byrne will face a tough test in his fourth professional contest.
The Loughlinstown welter will take on recent ‘Opponent of The Year’ nominee, and subsequent editor’s pick, Sergio Abad [2(1)-7(1)] on the Red Corner Promotions ‘Unfinished Business’ card at the National Stadium on Saturday February 25th.
Abad, who featured on Irish-Boxing.com’s ‘10 journeymen opponents we want to see against Irish boxers in 2017‘ list, in the National Stadium on February 25th.
While his record is not much to look at, the Spaniard has proven himself where it matters, in the ring.
Back in November, Abad gave former top amateur Gerard Whitehouse a massive test and marked himself out to be the perfect six round opponent for the prospect.
Physically strong, super fit, and plenty durable, the long-armed action junkie made Whitehouse work for every second of their six-round contest at the same venue on the previous Red Corner card. This forced the Balbriggan man into a career-best performance in what turned out to be the Fight of the Night, and one of the Fights of the Year.
Whitehouse prevailed 60:54 on the referee’s card night, although ringside observers scored the bout closer than this.
‘The Surgeon’ has now been lined up for Byrne, and the Dubliner will take on Abad just three weeks after his third pro bout, which is set for Belfast on February 4th. Here he faces Sandor Jozsa [3(2)-1(1)] over four at the Europa Hotel on a MHD Promotions card in what will be a step up that leads into another step up.
Byrne is keen to move on quickly and Abad certainly has the potential to provide him with the chance to learn and bank experience and, if the Whitehouse bout is anything to go by, will give the focused and popular puncher the chance to test his six round capabilities.
In addition, the Iberian has been handed well over a month’s notice and should come to the ring well prepared.
The clash with Abad has ‘steal the show’ potential, and a good win in a crowd-pleasing fight may just help the ambitious Byrne’s stock rise.
