McLaughlin: No one can stop me winning an Irish title this year

NOTHING or nobody will stop Michael McLaughlin buckling the Irish welterweight title around his waist before the year is out, according the Donegal man himself.

McLaughlin has been campaigning Stateside since 2010, but has seen a number of possible Irish title fights fall through over the years, most recently when Lee Murtagh was forced to retire.

However, the southpaw has joined the likes of Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan and Danny Bhoy O’Connor on Murphy’s boxing books and believes the link will help achieve his Irish title dream.

Indeed, with Ken Casey of Murphy’s boxing revealing plans of an August show in Ireland McLaughlin could be afforded a home coming clash and title bout all at once.

“I’m definitely looking for the Irish title this year. This year It will be around my waist. I’m training as hard as ever and I’m confident of beating anyone that gets between me and the title,” he told Irish-boxing.com.

“I’ve just signed a contract with Murphy’s boxing and I’m delighted, they will keep me busy and that’s what I needed, just to keep active and fighting.

“There are plans in the works for Spike to have a fight back home and I’ve been told I’ll be heading over to fight on that card. It will be great to go back and fight at home.”

Before a possible homecoming McLaughlin has some business to deal with State-side.

The 30 year old is co feature on a bill in Quincy Armory, Quincy, Massachusetts, on June 27.

He takes on Roberto Valenzuela of Mexico, a fighter who has won 69 and lost 68 fights.

“I’m Co feature on the card in a  six round fight with a very experienced Mexican fighter Roberto Valenzuela (69(56)- 68- 2). He has had an awful lot of fights and won half of them and when he has won he has stopped them so I’ll have to b on my game because he obviously has a punch.”