This week’s stacked show is headlined by a British and Commonwealth lightweight title fight between Gavin Gwynne and Luke Willis and takes place at York Hall in London, and will be broadcast live in the US on ESPN+ in association with Top Rank and worldwide on IFL TV.
Undefeated O’Leary (8-0, 4 KOs) is back following a seventh round stoppage win over Siar Ozgul last time out, and the Irishman is promising big things over the coming months.
O’Leary said: “I had time off with the family over the last few months and enjoyed Christmas, but now I’m back out, refreshed and ready to go.
“I’ve been way ahead of schedule in training, and people still haven’t seen the best of me. I felt my last performance was good, but not great, and I believe I can do better. When I face the big names and get to that top level, people will be in for a shock.
“I’d have a title fight tomorrow if I could, but my management team know what is best and they’re holding me back on the reins so I can get that experience in the ring. I’d love to mix it with the best guys soon, but I’m still only 22, so I have loads of time left to make an impact.
“We saw it with Gary Cully. He bided his time and now he’s had a fantastic win, so everything is falling into place for me too. I’ve been getting more comfortable as the rounds go on, and if I keep bringing the best Pierce O’Leary to the table, then nobody is going to beat me.
“There is a road mapped out for me, and I’ll just keep working hard with my coaches. It’s been great since I started training in London, and my team has been a massive asset for me. I’ve been facing some high level fighters in sparring, and I feel I’ll get the stoppage this week.”
Elsewhere on Friday’s card, Sam Gilley defends his English super-welterweight title against Drew Brown, Nina Hughes takes on Bec Connolly, plus Sultan Zaurbek, Carl Fail, Elliot Whale, Dean Richardson, Paul Ryan and Jimmy Croxson are all in action.
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