Irish Boxing: Stephen Block Reynolds vs Declan Trainor this weekend

Irish Boxing: Stephen Block Reynolds vs Declan Trainor this weekend

By Niall Doran

Moving to Irish boxing this weekend. Although the world of boxing will mostly be talking about Mayweather vs Canelo this Saturday, there will also be a very tasty professional Irish card taking place in Belfast.

The card is being billed as “The Celtic Clash” and will be headlined by a thrilling Cruiser weight contest between two undefeated pro’s in Stephen “The Block” Reynolds (2-0-1KO) of Co.Sligo (pictured above landing a beautiful left hook to the body) who will take on the up and coming and power punching Declan Trainor (2-0-2KO’s) of Warrenpoint, Co.Down.

This is a real 50/50 encounter here, with the winner likely to have big things in store for them should they get past Saturday night’s test. Reynolds, a man who in his day job is a traffic warden and previously a very accomplished amateur boxer in the last decade, will know that a win here could propel him into potential showdown’s with some high profile Cruiserweight contenders across the water, and around the globe for that matter. The same can be said for Trainor.

Going into the fight, Trainor will certainly have the advantage in youth as he (25) will be 15 years his counterpart’s junior (Reynolds aged 40). He also will have great momentum coming off the back of a big win at the start of his pro career this year in Australia, when on his pro debut he took out one of Australia’s brightest up and coming prospects in Jamie Bogovic, in the very first round too.

Both men can certainly hit hard, with perhaps the slight edge in the punching power department going to the younger man in Trainor who is quickly gaining a reputation in the professional ranks for being quite the knockout artist.

Credit to Stephen Block Reynolds for taking this fight against such a ferocious puncher. Stephen no doubt knows however that his career will need to be moved along fast in the professional ranks given his age, with this fight on Saturday being very much a necessary and timely test.

For Trainor a win here will move his career equally along so everything is on the line for both men. This really is a genuine 50/50 fight where someone’s “0” as they say – has got to go!

This cracking showdown will mark the first time two undefeated professional Irish boxers have fought for a title since Steve Collins took on Sam Storey in Boston all the way back in 1988 – 25 years ago.

There is also some barnstorming fights on the under card of this fantastic Irish bill that will feature some outstanding professional talent that includes: the legend that is Oisin Fagan, Belfast’s welterweight sensation Paddy Gallagher, Daniel “Insane” McShane, John “The Buncrana Banger” Hutchinson and Ireland’s top female professional boxer – Christina McMahon.

Tickets for this Saturday’s “Celtic Clash” are priced between £30-£45 and are available in The Devenish on Finaghy Road North in Belfast or by calling 079 85 646 187.

For more information on this weekend’s massive event in Belfast log on to Twitter and follow the event’s dedicated page @CelticClash

The post Irish Boxing: Stephen Block Reynolds vs Declan Trainor this weekend appeared first on %%Boxing News and Views/%%.