Owen O’Neill got here away from the Girdwood Neighborhood Hub with much more than simply the BUI gentle middleweight Celtic title.
‘The Operator’ defeated Owen Duffy in probably the most dramatic of fashions to register a altering win stay on TG4 simply over per week in the past.
The victory sees the Belfast fighter safe a primary profession title, in addition to necessary standing for the Irish strap, and the way wherein it got here not solely sees O’Neill transfer into each Struggle of the 12 months and Knock out of the 12 months pole however acquire a good friend for all times.
The all-action all on the road eight-round battle was a struggle with no actual losers, as each fighter’s inventory rose. It was additionally a kind of blood and guts encouthers that bonds combatives like solely boxing can.
O’Neill, who refused to have fun his first profession KO till he knew Duffy was okay, revealed he has solid an prompt friendship with the Frick McMahon skilled gentle center after an prompt all Irish basic.
“We have been on telephone on Sunday had an important chat,” O’Neill informed Irish-boxing.com.
“He informed me he hit me with all the pieces and I simply stored coming. He did, he hit me some beautiful pictures. He’s an important man and I’ve a good friend now. We each created a cracking Irish home dust-up for the followers.
“It was an absolute struggle. It flew in. One minute it was spherical 1 then subsequent factor spherical 8, absolute cracker!” continued the fighter who has solid a popularity as a real entertainer and character on the home scene.
Successful a struggle is nice, profitable a struggle by sensational stoppage is subsequent degree, and doing so on TV and for a title is career-changing.
“I’m nonetheless in shock, to be sincere, I don’t assume it has sunk in but,” a nonetheless delighted ‘OOO’ provides.
It’s a win that has pushed the Dee Walsh skilled fighter to the forefront in a packed 154lbs division and afforded him a standing he could by no means have foreseen when he first turned over, one thing he suggests makes the title win all of the extra particular.
“It was a dream come true. As folks know I didn’t win something as an novice so profitable this title means absolutely the world and the best way it was performed it only a bonus I’m nonetheless in shock.”
The eight-round KO win was a come-from-behind one. Duffy was edging the encouther heading into the final and was on track for victory till the Cliftonville Canelo’s late intervention.
O’Neill reveals he was unaware the end result was within the steadiness till his coach Dee Walsh known as for a giant final spherical.
“I didn’t [know I was down on the card] till the tip of spherical 7. It actually hit me when my coach, Dee gave me telling to. He stated ‘what do you wish to be right here go 10-0 or 9-1, it is advisable exit and put it on him’ – and I did in spherical 8,” he provides earlier than reflecting on a spherical that secured him an enormous win.
“I simply keep in mind going out in spherical 8 and throwing a giant proper hand from the bell. I simply knew I needed to actually give it my all and fortunately the KO got here.”
O’Neill’s speedy concern was Duffy’s well-being, which meant he delayed his celebrations and wasn’t overly aware of how good a KO he recorded.
“My fear was Duffy at the moment so i didn’t even consider the shot till I used to be up in altering room and knew Duffy was okay. It was an important shot that got here out of nowhere however my concern was Duffy immediately, I wished to ensure he was okay earlier than having fun with the second.”
The win ought to open enormous doorways for O’Neill however probably not at gentle center for the Belfast man. The Glean skilled standard fighter doesn’t see his future at 154lbs.
“After watching the battle again I believe I really want to lose extra weight. It’s so simple as that. I’m preventing at a weight that’s too heavy for me. Duffy was large in comparison with me plus was in cracking form. I’ve quite a bit to work to do and will likely be again to coaching on Wednesday grinding. There’s a lot extra work to be performed.”
Picture credit score Mark Mead
