Return to scene of Prizefighter nightmare no problem for excited Paddy Gallagher
Paddy Gallagher [15(9)-4(0)] will return to the scene of his worst night as a professional next month and the Belfast welterweight is keen to make new, happy memories as he looks to set up a big year.
It was confirmed last night that Gallagher will take on London-based German Freddy Kiwitt [13(7)-2(0)] at the famous York Hall and he plans for Friday February 22nd to be a breakthrough night in his career.
Gallagher has fought at the historic London venue before, of course, when he took part in the Prizefighter series back in 2014. It was a crazy night for the Commonwealth Games gold medallist who, then a pro novice, was beaten in his opening bout by Eric Ochieng before being reinstated and reaching the final only to lost to Johnny Coyle.
The happy-go-lucky Lenadoon fighter, however, is not superstitious and is returning to Bethnal Green eager to kick start his career.
Gallagher, 30 in April, held the BBBoC Celtic title between 2016 and 2018 but a British title tilt has frustratingly failed to materialise. A BUI Celtic belt was picked up in the interim but now ‘The Pat Man’ will go for the vacant WBO European title and, hopefully, a world ranking with the organisation who currently boast Terence Crawford as their champion.
The Irishman tops the YouTube-streamed bill and he noted how “to headline for a title is the stuff of dreams. I was saying it’s going to happen and now here we are!”
“This is a massive, massive moment for me at this stage in my career. I’ve been to York Hall and fought at the venue before but let’s not go there!”
Gallagher is familiar enough with his Liberia-born opponent but isn’t looking too much into ‘Pretty Boy’.
Classically confident, the West Belfast man outlined how “I’ve watched a few clips here and there of Kiwitt but I’ll leave all the analysis and the tactical decisions to my coach, Gerard McManus. He’ll come up with the right game plan and I’ll go and execute it.”
“I can’t wait to kick off the year with a win, a belt and put myself further up the ladder.”
“I was very proud to win the Celtic title but this is another massive step up – both geographically in terms of the size of the area and as a career move. I’m thrilled.”
