‘Road Runner’ Craig O’Brien not running from Paddy Gallagher’s challenge

Craig O’Brien [11(1)-2(1)] claims he feels like the Road Runner during lock down, but isn’t going to shout ‘meep meep’ and sprint away from Paddy Gallagher’s challenge.

The Celtic Warrior gym fighter says he has no problems exciting fight fans by trading leather with Gallagher [16(10)-6(0)], but does wonder if July would prove to early for an Irish title fight.

‘The Pat Man’ did his best Elvis impression this week claiming ‘The Iron’ was always on his mind. The Belfast fighter said he wanted to challenge for the Dubliner’s Irish light middleweight title on the proposed behind closed doors clash in the works for Belfast and July.

O’Brien, who has promised to use Johnny Logan’s ‘Hold Me Now’ for his next ring walk, see’s the appeal but went all Take That suggesting the pair should ‘have a little patience’.

The Pascal Collins trained light middle with welterweight aspirations hinted online that July was too soon – and speaking to Irish-boxing.com he revealed he had August commitments.

The Inner City favourite has agreed to fight on Ring Kings II, a show that Neill Power is hoping to put on in Waterford before the summer is done.

If that falls through he’d be open to Gallagher in August. If he does manage to get out this summer, he claims he’d happily fight the BUI Celtic light middleweight champion later in the year.

“I wasn’t surprised to see me name get dropped by Paddy. We are the same weight, both Irish and it would be a good fight,” O’Brien told Irish-boxing.com.

“It would be a fight that interests me, all Irish fights are the ones you want, plus it gets the fans going.

“Paddy is a very good fighter. I have seen some of his fights and I think me and him is a 50/50 fight. It would be a good one.”

It’s all positive from O’Brien, but don’t get overly excited, as while he is open to it, he has other short term plans.

“I am hoping to fight on the Waterford show in August please god. If that goes ahead then maybe me and Paddy could get it on towards the back end of the year.”

Like everyone during this period of lockdown, O’Brien can’t do his job properly and is missing the daily routine the gym brings.

Discussing how he is faring at home the Irish champ adds: “Not being in the boxing gym is a big loss. I miss the training and the buzz with the lads. I feel like Road Runner all I am doing is loads of jogging.”