Noel Murphy blasts unprofessional Irish rivals ahead of Homecoming Headliner

Noely Murphy [13(2)-1(0)-1] is ready to put a frustrating few weeks behind him with a big win tonight in Cork.

Back in his home county, the Rebel fighter was due to box for the vacant Irish welterweight title but saw two agreed opponents pull out and no other eligible foe could be found.

Murphy is not happy with some of the going ons over the last couple of months but is determined not to let what he sees as unprofessionalism ruin his big homecoming headline appearance.

Instead he now faces Hungarian Adam Mate [28(21)-14(11)] at the Neptune Stadium with no belt on the line.

“I’m very disappointed that this fight is not for an Irish title, we tried everything we could,” the ‘Leeside Revolution’ bill-topper admitted to Irish-Boxing.com ahead of tonight’s eight rounder.

The original opponent was Loughlinstown’s Jay Byrne who would pull out and be replaced by another Dub in East Wall’s Jake Hanney – who then also pulled out.

Meanwhile, during the opponent uncertainty, yet another Dub, Smithfield’s Keane McMahon, would state that he would be willing to fight Murphy down the line but is unavailable tonight due to a minor hand issue.

The Macroom 24-year-old was not impressed by this talk – or the saga as a whole – and explained how “I am annoyed with the pull outs and also with the guy [McMahon] who said he wanted to fight me on your site and then, when he was offered the fight, he went very quiet and came up with some bullshit story.”

“They’ll probably start calling me out now again when it’s too late,” noted the New York-based boxer before admitting that this could be his last time fighting at home for a while.

“I’m not sure if a title fight will ever happen now, I would like to fight in Cork again but don’t want to go through this again.”

“It’s hard trying to get ready for a fight when people are not being professional about it but what can you do? I have to focus on the opponent that I have in front of me before anything else.”

The return of a Cork hero Noely Murphy, a spicy domestic dust-up and a world Muay Thai title. It’s going to be some night tomorrow in Cork. #leesiderevolution pic.twitter.com/s3dATTUzGi

— Boxing Ireland Promotions (@LoveIrishBoxing) July 19, 2019

While there is an edge to what Murphy says, it remains an important night to him.

The Martin Horgan promotion is the first pro show in Cork in 10 years and he wants to impress.

“I’m very excited to be fighting back home in Cork,” he said.

“Reaction has been great, people are really excited for the event and a lot of tickets are sold.”

“I don’t know much about Adam Mate, only that he has good experience has a lot of KOs and was in with some big names. I’m sure he will come and give me a good fight and I’m looking forward to it.”

“I’m proud to bring boxing back to Cork but I wanted it to be a Irish title fight.”

“I’m not sure what happens after this, my manager Kevin Crowley has some plans so we will see.”