Opponent confirmed for Joe Fitzpatrick six-round step-up

Joe Fitzpatrick [6(4)-0] will make the step up to six rounds next month in Belfast and will do so against Hungarian opposition.

The Belfast lightweight will take on Budapest boxer Tamas Laska [14(6)-12(5)-1] on the MHD Promotions show at the Europa Hotel.

The Divis southpaw is aiming to have a breakout 2017, and will look to get off to a quick start against the Central European journeyman. Last year Fitzpatrick fought thrice, with a facile win over Ruslans Berdimuradovs, a hard-fought victory over the hugely game Jordan Ellison, and a late-notice points triumph over Gyula Tallosi.

In his last fight of note, Laska retired in the second round of his clash with Irish title-chasing featherweight Ryan Doyle. Last Summer he went the full four with Dublin light welter Shortty Carroll on the FS Promotions ‘The Future’ show. Derry featherweight Tyrone McCullagh also faced the Magyar on his professional debut in 2015, stopping him inside two. Other notable names on the ledger of Laska, all losses, include Boy Jones (TKO6), Martin Parlagi (UD6), and Devis Boschiero (TKO5). All of Laska’s 14 wins came in Hungarian gym fights, against opponents with a combined record of 3-74.

Also featuring on the dinner show in the Titanic City next month are Jay Byrne, Feargal McCrory, Ronnie Clark, and headliner Paul Hyland Jr. James Tennyson is also currently scheduled to appear, although that could change once a date for his Irish super featherweight title fight with Declan Geraghty is confirmed.

Photo Credit: Laszlo Geczo Photography

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