Noely Murphy talks life in New York and eyes Irish homecoming

Noely Murphy [6(2)-0] fights on Thursday night for the seventh time as a pro, and the Leesider is enjoying his life on the road less taken.

The youngster takes on Albanian Afrim Mema [5(2)-3(2)] at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket as part of the DiBella Entertainment Summer Boxing Series.

While the Albanian may on paper present the toughest test of Murphy’s career, the 21 year old isn’t making too big a deal about the step up, explaining to Irish-Boxing.com that Mema is “my toughest opponent so far, but I’m sparring World class fighters out here like Chris Algeiri, Terrence Crawford, Luis Collazo, and Jason Sosa. and holding my own so I know once I’m fully focused im able to beat anyone.”

The fight will be Murphy’s second six rounder, and the Macroom boxer is enjoying the longer format, noting how “I can relax a bit more in there and use my skills more.”

“In a four rounder the pace is quicker and it’s more unpredictable, so I enjoy the 6 rounders more.”

The Munster man has fought in-and-around the welterweight mark (147lbs) so far, but is aiming for a gradual move down to light welter as he steps up the ladder, outling how “I’m heading to 140 now, this fight is at 145 again but I’m making it without too much problems so we’re working toward 140.”

“I will be very big at that weight and a real problem for anyone.”

“My plan for the rest of the year is to stay busy and just keep winning fights.”

“I’m always in shape and hopefully this year I get on some big cards in New York.”

While relocating to the U.S. as a 19 year old seems like a daunting move, Murphy is loving life in the Big Apple. Indeed the red-headed Rebel has tapped into the huge Irish-American community in the area and happily tells how “the support here has been great!.”

“I live in Woodlawn [in the Bronx] which has a big Irish community and they’re really getting behind me now.”

“Irish sportspeople are very lucky because we definitely have the best fans in the world,” before adding that “nobody will be arguing against after the Euros!”

Obviously the move to New York wasn’t just for a change of scenery, and Murphy is promoted by Lou DiBella. Thriving in one of the centres of World boxing, Murphy describes how “it’s a great to have a big promoter to guarantee me fights.”

“New York is a brilliant city to have a career in boxing because there is so much happening here.”

“My manager Kevin Crowley is also very good to me and got me signed with DiBella so he played a major part I thay happening.”

That said, Murphy has not forgotten his roots, and trading leather in the homeland is near the top of his list of priorities, and he added that “I would love to fight in Ireland and I believe there is a good possibility of that happening.”

“My manager is now in Ireland for a little while and he will try to get me on any fight card over there.”

“It’s very hard for the lads at home because there isn’t shows on a regular basis.”

“Hopefully some promoters start putting on shows consistently because we have real talent in Ireland, it’s important that our fighters have a platform to showcase it.”