Stephen Carroll starting to feel “comfortable being uncomfortable”
The last time Stephen ‘Shortty’ Carroll [6(1)-0] fought in Dublin he was a mere prospect.
On Saturday he returns to the National Stadium a fully fledged contender.
Since his win over Tamas Laska last Summer, the Ballyfermot light welter has been on the road.
In November he claimed the Celtic Nations title in Belfast, outpointing Jamesy Gorman. Then in March he stepped in at short notice to defeat Scottish light welterweight champion Eddie Doyle in Motherwell. Both eight-round bouts saw Carroll dig deep and prove a level of skill which some believed he didn’t have.
The on-the-road wins have catapulted Carroll from being known as a prospect to being seen as one of the top 140lbers in the country. The 25 year old is delighted to have proven his pedigree and is looking forward to progressing even further.
Carroll told Irish-Boxing.com that “I’m starting to feel good, showing what I’m capable of, and I’m ready to keep pushing forward.”
The Dubliner is keen to show off the improvements he has been making in his six rounder with Hungarian welterweight Ferenc Jarko [2(1)-1(1)].
Carroll explained that “I really enjoyed fighting away, getting comfortable being uncomfortable.”
“It was great getting the wins on away shores and I showed my power putting Doyle down three times. I have taken a step up in class and fought two good lads, so it has definitely improved me and my confidence.”
After two tough ones, this fight is more of a keep-busy affair – but Carroll wants more big fights soon.
“This is an easier one,” he said before stating that “I definitely want another title by the end of the year and to be on another one or two big shows.”
The card on Saturday is headlined by Eric Donovan, with further support from Mike Perez, Jay Byrne, Gerard Whitehouse, Sean Creagh, Vladimir Belujsky, Rohan Date, Carl McDonald, Allan Phelan, and Lynn Harvey, as well as debutants John Joyce, Liam Gaynor, John Corcoran, Stephen McAfee, and Keane McMahon.
Tickets for Celtic Clash 2 are priced at €15 (Under 15s), €30, €40, €45, and €55 (Premium), and are available from the boxers involved.
Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)
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Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey speak to Jason Quigley on Episode 5 of The Irish Boxing Show:
