Rohan Daté set for big news as domestic scene heats up

Rohan Daté [6(5)-0-1] feels he is the most talented and dangerous of the Irish welterweights and aims to get into the title mix very soon having seen a string of good news stories for his 147lbs rivals.

Former St Paul’s Waterford clubmate Dylan Moran has signed a promotional deal with U.S. outfit Star Boxing, Dubliner Keane McMahon has a BUI Celtic title fight in May with Aberdeen’s Dean Sutherland, and Noely Murphy and John Joyce do battle in Boston next month, while Jay Byrne is currently on a run of two sensational wins in Scotland.

Not to be left behind, big punching Daté claims he too has big news coming conformation of which he hopes to be able to give soon after he makes his ring return this Saturday night in England.

“It feels great, I’ve not stopped training since the New Year,” Date told Irish-Boxing.com ahead of his first fight of the year which takes place in Watford this weekend on a British Warriors bill which also features light middleweights Owen Duffy and Alfredo Meli.

“I was waiting on some big news but it got postponed a for little bit due to being quite ill the last two weeks of December so I was eager to get on a show right away and not waste any time.”

The December setback may have slowed things for the 25-year-old somewhat, but he has a clear plan of what he wants from 2019.

The Déise destroyer will look to maneuver his way into title contention over a busy few months and is determined to secure a belt before the year is out.

Daté outlined how “my main priority over the next six months is getting to 10 fights and getting my eight rounds in for title eligibility.”

“I want a belt and I’m pushing for a lot of things right now. I am working with my team and also the Ring Kings promoter to try get things over the line. So that hopefully will be something we can get confirmation on very soon.”

Radoslav Mitev, a man most recently seen in Ireland defeating Martin Wall provides the opposition for Daté this weekend and the concussive puncher is hopeful the Bulgarian will be tough enough to allow him show his skills.

“I want a tough and durable opponent who I can showcase my skills against and show the fans that I’m far more than just a knockout artist as my results to date would have you believe,” he adds before suggesting he is hopeful the fight is ungraded from six to eight rounds.

“I know this is scheduled for six but were still hoping for an eight. Licensing by the board here seems a little more difficult in terms of sanctioning due to my KO rate but I am fit and ready for eight now,” pledged the fighter who is yet to go beyond four.

With all the domestic welters taking their own journeys in the short term, any of the mooted Irish title fights seems to have been pushed down the road.

However, Daté, who suggested a Moran fight last year, believes there is still fan appetite to see the Waterford derby.

While Moran is set for a second slot on TG4 this month, his link-up with the Matchroom-aligned Joe DeGuardia has Daté dreaming of a big fight in America – and soon.

The former Irish international noted how “I don’t think [Moran’s promotional deal] changes things.”

“I am also looking to be in America this year I am actually heading there next month. If there’s a title we could still make it happen.”

Photo Credit: Ricard Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)