Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Title-hungry Owen O'Neill ready to follow Padraig McCrory blueprint

Owen O'Neill is hoping to follow the blueprint of stablemate Padraig McCrory as he targets title glory.

'The Operator' will fight for his first professional belt on November 19 against Owen Duffy on the big MHD XXV card at Girdwood Community Hub.

The BUI Celtic super-welterweight belt will be on the line for both fighters, a title that will rekindle fond memories for new IBO World light-heavyweight champion McCrory.

Read more: Padraig McCrory names dream opponent as he outlines next fight plans

The Celtic strap was the first belt he won as a pro, courtesy of a sensational win over Steve Collins Jr at the 2019 Feile in Falls Park.

Unbeaten O'Neill was in Germany to watch McCrory win his World title last month, and admits the West Belfast 34-year-old is an inspiration.

"Watching Pody win the world title in Germany was special. It is an experience I can't really describe," O'Neill told Belfast Live.

"I was there and it was amazing. I know what it meant to Pody, and I just want to follow in his footsteps.

"The Celtic title is actually the first title Pody won as a professional, and look what he has gone on to achieve.

"He brought over 200 fans to Germany, and even before the fight he was out meeting his fans. And this was before the biggest fight of his career.

"And after the fight he came out of the ring and mingled with fans again. That's a proper gentleman, and that's why he is so well supported."

O'Neill will wrap up his camp on Friday with "one final hard session".

The 27-year-old says the prospect of winning his first title has been an added source of inspiration as he counts down the days to his showdown with Duffy.

"I have really pushed the limits and I have been sparring great; probably the best I have ever sparred. So I am expecting a big performance," he said.

"It will take a big performance, too. Duffy will be a tough competitor. He got dropped by Dom Donegan in his last fight but came back to win by stoppage.

"It shows he has grit there and is durable, and it will take a lot to beat him. It will take a big performance to do the job.

"I have a title fight which is great. It came out of the blue, to be honest.

"I phoned Mark (Dunlop) and asked what the plans were after my last fight. He asked if I wanted to fight before Christmas, and then said the next show would probably be February.

"I said I wanted out before Christmas, and then he sent me the poster of me and Duffy for the title.

"I am moving up to super-welterweight for this fight, and it is an opportunity I couldn't turn down. The weight doesn't matter to me.

"I want to collect the win and title, and then I can still move down to welterweight again.

"Having a title on the line gives you added motivation. That's probably why camp has been high intensity and I have sparred the best ever.

"When I win this title, it will be the first title I have won in boxing. I have been beaten in finals as an amateur and missed out.

"But I expect to win this one."

O'Neill is also determined to preserve the flawless record of his coach Dee Walsh who has yet to watch any of his pro fighters suffer defeat in the ring.

"Dee is on an incredible run with his fighters, so I don't want to be his first defeat. And I won't be," he added.

"That is another incentive for me. You want to keep putting in the performances because Dee puts in a lot of work with his boxers."

The Mark Dunlop card on November 19 also features Colm Murphy who tops the bill against Liam Gaynor in the first defence of his BUI Celtic featherweight title.

Tickets are still available from Eventbrite - check out the link HERE

READ NEXT:

Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.