Luke Keeler takes big stride toward massive middleweight world title shot
Luke Keeler [15(5)-2(1)-1] seems to have taken a significant step toward a massive December world title fight.
The Ballyfermott middleweight became a genuine contender after he defeated Luis Arais in Belfast back in August.
The career best display proved ‘Coolhand’ had world capabilities and increased his ranking to such a degree he became eligible to challenge.
Directly after the fight there was suggestions the 32-year-old was just one win away from securing a tilt. The talk initially was of a pre Christmas win before a March tilt.
With that in mind the Pete Taylor trained fighter secured a November date and was due to fight in Glasgow on the same card as Paddy Donovan and Pierce O’Leary.
However, Irish-boxing.com understands positive talks with Demetrius Andrade (28(17)-0] have been ongoing, although nothing concrete has been confirmed.
However, the fact Keeler pulled off next weekend’s card citing a ‘big fight’ negotiations as the reason suggests he is close to confirming a fight with the two weight world champion.
For anyone I haven’t spoken to already I’m sorry to say my fight in Scotland is off. I’m in negotiations for big fight and had to pull out this fight as there too close together. Apologies to everyone that had… https://t.co/3aapQvvHJP
— Coolhand Luke (@luke_keeler) November 7, 2019
The fact Keeler claims he can’t compete in November 16 because it’s too close to that ‘big fight’ suggests his world title shot could come as soon as December.
If that is the case, Ireland could have two middleweight world title challengers in December, as Dennis Hogan challenges Jermall Charlo for the WBC middleweight world title.
The WBO world middleweight champion has always meant to be out in December and Matchroom were keen to put him in with WBO#1 Steven Butler.
However, the Canadian has elected to go the WBA route – and will fight their ‘regular’ champion Ryota Murata, a fighter that Jason Quigley previously agreed to fight, in Japan instead.
That leaves ‘Boo Boo’ with an opponent vacancy and Keeler has moved closer to filling it.
