“Let’s get it on” – Irish title keen Joe Fitzpatrick calls out FOUR domestic rivals

Joe Fitzpatrick [10(7)-0] has put all the all Irish lightweights on notice.

‘The Dragon’ claimed the BUI Celtic title with a second successive impressive stoppage win since his return from an 18 month sabbatical at the Devenish on Saturday.

The Mac Man defeated grizzly Galician Iago Barros [5(2)-15(3)-2] on the top of the Celtic Clash 9 card to claim a first career title.

He now has Irish title ambitions, wants big domestic fights, and has an interesting list of potential foes.

The 24-year-old southpaw claims he is open to all 135lbs comers, but suggests he would like to fight any of Mayo’s Ray Moylette, Kildare’s Gary Cully, or Dubliners Niall O’Connor and Stephen McAfee next.

The Belfast fighter wants the green belt in 2020 and has called for his fellow contenders to step up to the plate.

“The next fight I want is for the Irish title. There are a couple of men out there I want. Stephen McAfee, Ray Moylette, Gary Cully, Niall O’Connor, I’ll fight anyone of them. The Irish title is there it’s vacant, so let’s do it, let’s get it on,” Fitzpatrick said after the win.

“I don’t care who it is I want the Irish title next and I know I am going to win it,” he continued.

Not only does Fitzpatrick propose some mouthwatering clashes with some other fancied lightweights, he is confident he will win them.

In fact, the Commonwealth Games gold medal winner is adamant he is the best at the weight in Ireland.

“I’ve never sparred any of them or fought them in the amateurs, some are older than me and some are a bit younger, but I know I am the best lightweight in Ireland. I can’t see any of them beating me. The title is there so let’s get it on, that’s what I say.”

“My last two fights I fought out of my skin and I know I am better than these boxers so why not fight them and move up the rankings now? Let’s get the domestic fights on the go.”

When Fitzpatrick says he would beat any lightweight in Ireland he doesn’t just mean those who may be tempted into Irish title action.

Those who have won the strap and moved on to European and even world level would fall victim to his skill set to, according to the Divis man.

However, is he aware that he may have to earn the right to fight the likes of former MHD stablemates Paul Hyland and James Tennyson.

“There is Tennyson and them ones too. If I get the Irish title I can move on then, I can fight those who are ahead of me. I’ll fight any lightweight in Ireland.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@thefIrish)