By Jonathan Brown
Castlewellan fighter Donagh Keary says he’s “looking forward to putting on a good show” ahead of his sixth professional fight, against Bradford-based journeyman Jake Pollard.
‘Irish Kid’ Keary will take on Pollard as part of the undercard on the Conlan Sports and Hammer Boxing event at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast, on Friday 27 February. The 12-fight card sees Keary’s stablemate and sparring partner Conor Quinn box for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight title in the headline bout of the night.
Keary is looking forward to stepping back into the ring for the first time this year. “I can’t wait to get out there and get going. I’m sparring well, I’m sharp at the minute and I’m just looking forward to putting on a good show,” the 21-year-old, speaking from his training base in Castlewellan last week, said.
Keary has been in training camp since 15 December and will again fight at super bantamweight, with the Rathfriland clubman expected to come in at 122lbs. He has had multiple sparring sessions in England and Scotland over the course of his latest camp, with unbeaten Coleraine fighter Matty Boreland, Commonwealth title contender Quinn and Colm ‘Posh Boy’ Murphy (16-0), who is set to challenge Dublin’s Jono Carroll for the vacant IBO World Super Featherweight title in March, among his sparring partners.
The Pollard fight will be Keary’s first six-rounder as a professional as he looks towards challenging for a Celtic, World Youth or Commonwealth title in the near future. Limited tickets are still available for the fight via the @Irishkidkeary Instagram page.
See next week’s Mourne Observer for the full interview with Donagh Keary, as he gives his thoughts on fighting at the iconic Waterfront Hall venue and the challenge of moving up to six rounds.
