One down, Three to go – Assassin plan for FOUR all-Irish fights for Victor Rabei this year

It’s the case of perfect timing for a fighter that has had a punch perfect start to his pro career warns Assassin’s Conor Slater.

Assassin’s Victor Rabei [4(1)-0] competes in his second all-Irish clash this Saturday night, fighting Karl Kelly for the BUI light welterweight Celtic title on the Celtic Clash 6 card and Slater believes the fight has come at the right time for the Moldovan-born Dubliner.

Slater admits ‘Little Sexy’ Kelly [1(0)-1(0)] is ferocious and will bring a lot of danger to the Good Counsel GAA Club ring but is adamant the dedicated Rabei is ready to move to the next level.

Kaz Evans’s right hand man at Assassin is confident that they have brought Rabei along the perfect path since signing him at the start of the year.

His Assassin debut saw him stop Mark Morris, he now fights for his first title, and there are plans for the Irish title in the near future.

“Victors career has been punch perfect. He started with a tough debut against Chris Adaway and has continually progressed, beating Mark Morris last time out,” Slater told Irish-Boxing.com.

“In terms of this fight, I think it has come at the perfect time and I have to say thanks to Boxing Ireland for putting that fight on their show,” he added before stressing why he believes Rabei will emerge victorious. 

“He’s one of the most dedicated boxers in the country and is improving everyday with [coach] Steven O’Rourke.

“It is a cracking fight, Karl Kelly is a ferocious fighter but I think Victor will have too much boxing ability and be too big for him in the ring. Victor hasn’t cut a corner in camp and is in terrific shape.”

“It’s one that’s split the opinion of boxing fans.” 

Slater is right in this regard, it’s a fight that raises questions.

Most viewed it as a clash of styles, a boxer v puncher – although Rabei has promised to trade with his South Dublin rival, believing himself to be better in all areas than Kelly.

While they are confident of a Big Vic victory, Assassin don’t want to look beyond Kelly – a come-forward slugger that has been invigoured by the move from the spacious National Stadium ring to the phonebox Good Counsel equivalent.

However, Assassin have a road map planned out and Slater claims victory in Drimnagh this weekend will set up a defence against Martin Quinn, who also features on the card, before a possible Irish title tilt – which, all going to plan, would be a fourth domestic fight in 2018 for Rabei.

“As a team we don’t want too look past a boxer as good as Karl Kelly, but I think the winner of this fight has to fight Martin Quinn next.”

“[Then] we want the Irish title within the next six months.”