Michael Devine signs with new promoter following title win

Irish title hopeful Michael Devine [15(5)-5(2)-1] has been rewarded for his reversal of fortunes with a contract from one of Britain’s biggest promoters.

The Luton-Wexford lightweight, trained by Kevin Maree, has agreed terms with York Hall king Steve Goodwin, putting pen to paper on a three-year contract. His fist fight, a six-rounder, will take place on Saturday 18th March at the famous venue in London on a bill that will be headlined by Galway welter John O’Donnell who takes on Erick Ochieng for the English title.

‘Chunky’ was on a run of bad form, with four successive defeats starting with his Prizefighter final loss to Jono Carroll and taking in defeats to Adam Dingsdale, Tommy Martin, and journeyman Ismail Anwar. The 27 year would turn this around however, first with a win on his Irish debut during the Summer and then scored a stunning second round stoppage of Ben Day to become a two-weight BBBoC Southern Area champion.

Devine feels that the move will help him move on to bigger things and titles, and described how ” have been delighted at the things Kevin has showed me and I am developing as a fighter. Signing with Steve Goodwin is the final piece in the jigsaw and big things will happen for me in 2017.”

Steve Goodwin was similarly delighted, and said how “we are so pleased to welcome Michael to the team. He is another championship fighter to add to our high quality team of boxers and I am looking forward to seeing Michael develop this year. I have known Michael for 6 years and have always kept a close eye on his career. Michael is an exciting fighter and will be involved in some big fights in 2017. We will create the opportunities for him.”

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

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Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey look ahead to 2017 in episode 1 of The Irish Boxing Show