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Mayo star Ray Moylette set for title fight


Ray Moylette is set for a maiden title shot just one year into his fast-tracked pro career.

The Mayo lightweight made his pro bow last March and raced to eight and 0, with three stoppages, in only eight months.

Following a few months off in which he got married to childhood sweetheart Sharon, Moylette looks set to return in March and make the step up to eight-round title level.

While it is yet to be confirmed officially, ‘Sugar Ray’ is in line for a sixth fight on the U.S. East Coast and will challenge for a regional belt, most likely the Massachusetts State title.

The fight will come on the still-to-be-announced annual Murphys Boxing St Patrick’s Festival show in Boston.

The mooted opposition for the Islandeady fighter will be Irish-American slugger Matt Doherty [7(3)-3(0)-1].

27-year-old Moylette and ‘The Mantis’ were involved in a bit of back-and-forth last year, and this may end up being sorted in the ring.

Salem’s Doherty has is currently on a three-fight win streak following a New England title loss to Carlos Candelario and a defeat to former Chinese amateur star Zhimin Wang.

29-year-old Doherty is currently pencilled in to fight journeyman Danny Morales [0-5(1)] on a Murphys Boxing show in Melrose on January 26th and, should he emerge victorious, he will secure a title fight with 2011 European gold medalist Moylette.

The Connacht fighter progressed rapidly up the ranks in 2017, being matched tough and claiming some good wins over the likes of Matt Probin, Innocent Anyanwy, and especially Dante Moore – where he had to climb off the canvas to claim a split deciion win.

U.S. regional titles have proven a fruitful route for Moylette’s Celtic Warriors team mate Niall Kennedy. The Wexford heavyweight won the Massachusetts State belt last March against Jesse Barboza and then upgrading to the New England six-state title in September with a shock win over champion Alexis Santos.

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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