Title-hungry Paddy Gallagher backs Belfast bud Burnett to bring Sky Sports cameras back
BBBoC Celtic champion Paddy Gallagher [10(6)-3(0)] is determined to ensure he is one of the first names on Matchroom’s list if they decide to return to the capital of Irish boxing in the future.
The Lenadoon welter is one of the more recognisable names, in terms of the casual fan, that appears on the big Sky Sports show in Belfast this Saturday.
Considering his profile and the fact he has a title adorning his mantlepiece, Gallagher could be one of the Belfast fighters Matchroom push quickly toward titles if Ryan Burnett claims the IBF bantamweight title and ensures a run of regular shows in the Titanic City.
Eddie Hearn revealed a desire to put on regular shows for fans he believe are among the best and most passionate in the sport. However the English promoter admits his Belfast plans all depend on how Ryan Burnett fares against the experienced IBF bantamweight World champ Lee Haskins at the SSE Odyssey Arena on Saturday June 10th.
28 year old Gallagher seems aware his fate could be intertwined with a fighter he knows nearly all his life, but is confident Burnett will live up to his end of the bargain on Saturday nigt.
“If all goes well for Burnett, Matchroom will be back and big fights can be made for myself and other fighters,” The Pat Man told Irish-Boxing.com.
“I know Ryan since we were kids. Obviously I am older but he doesn’t live too far from me and we were on the High Performance together not long after I won the Commonwealth and he was just back from the Youth Olympics.”
“I think he does Haskins and Matchroom will be back and that’s when I can get these bigger fights. It’s exciting times.”
“I have been on some TV shows recently and it’s great to be on another big bill. Now it’s about making sure I stay on cards like these.”
Hearn warned the undercard punchers to be ready to make the step up come June 10th and all but demanded they take risks.
This should be no issue to Gallagher who, throughout his career, hasn’t been one to shirk a challenge
“I have said I would like a fight to get back in the swing after the last one, but I told MTK I don’t want anyone eejitt who will just fall over.”
“I’d like someone with a winning or even record and a bit of a challenge. Hopefully it’s six or eight rounds, get a few wins and then I have the Celtic title I can defend and hopefully fight for the Irish and move on.”
Surveying the current domestic scene, Gallagher describe how “I don’t know what the craic is with [current Irish champ] Peter McDonagh but I think he might vacate and then their some good fights at the weight for me.”
“There is obviously [Matt] Wilton, a few boys down South and [Tyrone] McKenna, I don’t know what his plans are, but there are good fights there. Then go on and target British, Commonwealth and European.”
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
The Burnett-Haskins undercard at present also features an Irish cruiserweight title fight between Luke Watkins and Ian Tims, Feargal McCrory v Paul Holt, James Tennyson v Ben Jones, Paul Hyland v Adam Dingsdale and appearances from Carl McDonald, Sean Magee, Matt Wilton, Tyrone McCullagh, Padraig McCrory, and the return of Mike Perez.
Tickets for ‘Belfast Boy’ on June 10th at the SSE Odyssey Arena cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought from the boxers involved or HERE.
