Ormond closing in on World title shot-ranked in WBOtop 15

BY Jonny Stapleton

HE may not have fought in a number of months, but Stephen Ormond took a significant step to a major title shot this week.

The much hyped prospect was afforded a top 15 world ranking by the WBO and claims Frank Warren has promised him some form title shot in the early December.

The Clondalkin natives improved standing should open a number of boxing doors and the former St Matthew’s stand out, who has Bernard Dunne and Lou DiBella amongst his many admirers, may now get the chance to fulfil potential.

The fact the fighter, who has campaigned most of his career at super featherweight, is now rated amongst the top 15 lightweights in the world could lead to a fight with promotional stable mate Ricky Burns.

The Scot takes on Australian hard man Michael Katsidis for the WBA interim title next weekend and Ormond hopes the former super featherweight champ of the world emerges victorious, as he thinks promoter Frank Warren is interested in the Celtic Clash.

Indeed the Pascal Collins trained fighter revealed he and not Dean Byrne was meant to spar Burn’s ahead of his big Katsidis showdown, but believes he was eventually prevented from sparring the fighter, who moves up in weight and in level of opponent, in case the pair do eventually meet.

“I only found out today about the rankind. Frank has now told me I will be out in the first or second week of December and I will be fighting for a title. It might not be a world title fight but it will be a WBO related title shot I assume. This moves me closer to my dream of being number one. Things finally seem to becoming together and it is great to be fighting for titles,” Ormond told www.irish-boxing.com.

“I will cheering for Burns this weekend. If he wins myself and him fighting is a real possibility. I was meant to spar him last week but when I was ready to go over they said no. I think that’s because the knew about the ranking and know we might fight. I think I can beat Burns. One or two more fights and I could be taking a title away from him, provided he wins next week.”

Another Frank Warren fighter Ormond will be cheering for this weekend is Dean Byrne. Ormond’s fellow Dubliner stepped in to replace Frankie Gavin on Box Nation’s Friday fight night and the undefeated prospect believes a win for the Crumlin fighter can only be good for Irish boxing.

“With Dean, Spike (O’Sullivan) and myself all signed to Frank it can only be good. If Dean wins this high profile fight Frank might put us on in Ireland or put all three of us on a card. However I don’t mind fighting away from home,” Ormond added before commenting on a clash with Kevin Mitchell that fell by the wayside.
“I was asked to fight Kevin, they gave us three days to decide if we wanted it or not and we came within hours. I sparred Kevin last year and I know he has weaknesses I can exploit. I did well against him and I have had five fights since that sparring. It is just a shame the fight didn’t come off.”