Keeler ‘sick’ he can’t fight Cruise for Irish title
A July Matchroom date which could lead to a rematch with Tom Doran is the reason Luke Keeler won’t be fighting Darren Cruise for the Irish middleweight title in the National Stadium on June 25th.
The Ballyfermot middleweight admits he is ‘sick’ he can’t accept the offer to fight the Roscommon native on the first FS Promotions and Ricky Hatton show, titled ‘The Future, but the chance to fight live on Sky and secure a big rematch with Welsh puncher Doran is too good to turn down.
Keeler has always dreamed of buckling the green strap around his waist, and had previously expressed a willingness to fight recent the Irish super middleweight title challenger for the 160lbs version of the belt. However, timing meant he couldn’t accept the offer this time round.
The Celtic Warrior Gym puncher told Irish-boxing.com he would be willing to trade leather with Cruise on the next FS Promotions show and also stressed the decision is business not personnel related, as in he has no qualms fighting the Army man.
“I have never turned down a fight, but Sky are getting me out at the start of July with the view to building towards a third fight with Doran. It would be a dream of mine to fight for the Irish title and I am sick can’t on this FS/Hatton show, but I would love to on their next show,” Keeler told Irish-boxing.com.
“I agreed to fight him (Cruise) on the first Macklin stadium show [prior to the November 2014 3Arena card], but Hearn made the Paul Moffett fight so we went with that, which no disrespect to Cruise, would have been a riskier fight at the time because Moffett had just had a close fight with Kerry Hope.
“I am not one to turn down fights especially not for Irish title in my home town, but it would be silly to turn down a Matchroom eight rounder at the same time, especially with the chance of a rematch with Doran down the line.”
