Paddy Gallagher aiming to continue career turnaround
Paddy Gallagher [16(10)-5(0)] believes he has turned his career around and his now ready to take full advantage next month.
The Lenadoon welterweight, fighting in front of a big home crowd, destroyed Liam Wells last month and has been rewwarded for the third-round stoppage with a major title fight on a major card.
In the chief support bout of Mick Conlan’s big Féile fight night on Saturday August 3rd, Gallagher will challenge British champion Chris Jenkins for the vacant Commonwealth title – with the Welshman’s Lonsdale belt also possibly on the line.
It’s a massive turnaround in a few short months for Gallagher who was narrowly defeated by Freddy Kiwitt back in February in London.
The Liberian-German would circumnavigate a contractually-obligated rematch and Gallagher admitted he was in the last chance saloon when he took on rising prospect Wells last month.
The Commonwealth Games gold medallist would, thankfully, score a punishing win and now, having turned down an away day versus Michael McKinson, gets a big chance on the biggest Irish card of the year.
Gallagher admits how “the last fight did me so many favours – it was a good opponent, a good performance and a good win.”
“It earned me this shot so that speaks volumes.”
Swansea slugger Jenkins [21(8)-3(0)-2] scored an upset win over champion Johnny Garton to claim the British title earlier this year but his fights versus Irish opposition have seen him lose to Phil Sutcliffe Jr and draw with Darragh Foley in a prematurely-ended bout.
While he has only recently stepped up to welterweight, Jenkins will most likely be considered a favourite but born entertainer Gallagher is looking forward to a massive occasion.
He described how “Jenkins is a good fighter and he’s coming off the back of a smashing win. I’ve met him once and he’s crazy so I’m sure the press conference will entertain as well as the fight.”
“The coverage of this fight will be unreal with both BT Sport and ESPN+ linking up. Féile is always a massive thing but this year, with the boxing show included and me being in a big fight, it’ll be even better than usual.”
