Returning Shortty Carroll eyes big fights – promises to take on all-comers

Stephen Carroll [7(1)-0] is back, ready to “take some heads off”, and is promising big fights.

Having claimed the Celtic Nations title with a win over Jamesy Gorman and subsequently defending it on short notice versus Scottish champ Eddie Doyle in one of the best Irish performances of 2017, ‘Shortty’ looked set to kick on.

A much-talked about clash with Sean Creagh seemed certain and there was speculation of another all-Dublin affair with Jake Hanney.

However, after a victory over the game Ferenc Jarko in May of last year, the Ballyfermot light welterweight called it a day.

He soon flirted with a return, signing with MTK Global just after the New Year, but has now rejoined forces with Tony Davitt and is ready to make his mark on an exciting division domestically.

The 26-year-old claims an all-Ireland fight plan has been put in place and is promising fans some entertaining nights ahead.

“Teaming back with Tony is great,” he told Irish-Boxing.com.

“We are back fighting in Dublin on the small hall shows. We will take the big fights, but the ones we want. We already set a plan and where going to smash it.”

“Being back with Tony we will have some really entertaining fights and some all Ireland’s clashes great fights ahead,” the Dubliner added.

Carroll was in a strong position and on a good run of form before his sabbatical and feels he should still be considered a name at a weight that includes Tyrone McKenna, Phil Sutcliffe Jr, Anto Upton, Darragh Foley.

Indeed, the Ballyfermot boxer would love to have a tilt at the winner of the mouth watering Tyrone McKenna v Jack Catterall clash in Belfast on June 30th.

“I’ll be taking heads off now.  I think I am one of the best [at the weight]. I went away twice got two great wins when I was an underdog.”

“I will be looking for big names down the line after a few fights, the winner of Catterall and McKenna would be nice.”

“I am happy and planning to be busy again. I’ll take all the fights, big or small.” 

While Carroll’s premature and temporary retirement came off the back of some frustrations with the sport, he claims the break has been a positive.

‘Shortty’ reassures he is now refreshed and back in love with the sport.

“I just had a busy year outside of boxing. I wanted to take the break away from it. I did lose a bit of love that’s why I took the break,” he admits.

“It can be so hard at times financially and the likes of birthdays and stuff that you have to miss because your training and making weight. I feel a good now the rest is as good as anything and it’s what I needed,” he added before revealing he will face a tough enough fight on his Celtic Clash 6 July 14th return.

“I’ll have a tough opponent. It seems it will be just a four-rounder but no more holding back – I will be going for it.”