Ruadhan Farrell Beats Connor Kerr in All Action Fight of the Year Contender
Ruadhan Farrell claimed victory in one of the best fights the famous Ulster Hall has seen in recent years to win the BUI Celtic title live on DAZN tonight.
‘El Nino’ hand was raised after eight epic and intense rounds to win a first career title, a battle of Belfast and Fight of the Year contender.
The much taller Farrell had to fight from first to last bell to get the win, as Connor Kerr more than played his part as the all-Irish delivered once again.
Indeed, such was the nature of the back-and-forth fight that many felt the 78-75 card slightly wide, although not many argued with the overall winner.
Farrell dropped to his knees after having his hand raised and had to fight back tears almost as hard as he had to fight off Kerr when the title was buckled around his waist.
It’s one we will almost certainly see again and should be a fight that reminds all promoters it’s easy to deliver entertainment – just put two Irish fighters in with each other.
It wasn’t madator versus bull as first expected in the first round, with Farrell not afraid to hold his feet or fight the inside when he had to.
There were well-leveraged right hands but he worked the body well and was capable of working on the inside.
Kerr did have some impressive flurries, one in particular right on the bell.
Punches began to reign as early as the second, as neither were willing to give ground and the all Irish’s reputation for entertainment was further enhanced. Kerr’s output increased but there seemed to be more pop to Farrell’s shots in another hard-to-score stanza.
The third followed in a similarly high octane vien. Kerr seemed more capable of closing the distance but his fellow IGB boxer wasn’t afraid to fight fire with fire.
Farrell, who had Anthony Cacace in his corner, used his physical advantages, showed good shot selection and for the most part, looked at home when put under pressure when he was drawn into what was meant to be Kerr’s world.
However, the workload of keeping Kerr at bay looked to take its toll in the final 30 seconds of the session. By that stage it looked as if the Daniel Anderson-trained fighter was ready to launch a fight changing assault.
Kerr, who had Paddy Gallagher as part of his team, attempted to up the gears in the next and did land the punches of the round, an uppercut and two big right hands, but Farrell more than matched him for work rate in another highly entertaining round.
The tension, noise and punch output increased again in the sixth, which was another all-action hard-to-score round. It was more fitness than finesse and guts than guile as leather flew.
The back-and-forth nature continued into the seventh with both having moments. Just when it looked like one would take over the other responded. So close was the fight that there was a feeling it was all down to the last round when the bell sounded to end the seventh.
Kerr started the last brilliantly but Farrell, one big right hand shipped aside, finished stronger, meaning the only thing certain at the final bell was that the Ulster Hall had just witnessed a Fight of the Year contender.
Both fighters were lifted aloft by their corners but in truth, no one knew who had it won!
Farrell did get the nod and no one would begrudge him it considering the trials and troubles he has had to come true to get to his point.
