Kieran Molloy: bringing Boxing back to Galway
10 December 2022; Kieran Molloy, right, and Alexander Zeledon during their super-welterweight bout at the SSE Arena in Belfast. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
By Ross Carney
Following a stellar debut year in boxing, Kieran Molloy returns to the ring on April 21 in Leisureland, marking the return of professional boxing to Galway for the first time since 2009.
The Oughterard man turned professional at the start of 2022, and has gone on the rack up an impressive undefeated record of 4-0.
Headlining his first fight-night, Molloy said it is “fantastic to bring boxing back West”.
It’s not just himself he’s fighting for however, as he’s relishing the chance to put on a show in his hometown for all his supporters.
“I’ve had unbelievable support back home since I was a kid, so I’m very grateful to be able to put on a show for everyone who has supported me from day one.”
Molloy isn’t fazed at all by the pressure of performing on the big stage, saying “the better the opponent, and the bigger the fight, is when you’ll see me at my best”.
“The pressure doesn’t get to me, it’s more exciting for me, I want to fight in packed out arenas and this is going to be the first step of it.”
The boxer doesn’t expect this event to be a one-off occasion either, and is confident that there will be bigger fights here in the future.
“I think Galway has been starved of something like this for years, and if it’s done properly it can become as big as Football in Galway, we can put on big shows and build up to a Pearse stadium fight.”
Molloy’s preparation for the sold out fight is well underway. Now based in Loughborough in England, Molloy is coached by Angel Fernandes, and trains alongside the likes of Richard Riakporhe, Frazer Clarke and Sergio Garcia.
He even sparred Jack Catterall during this fight-camp, who headlined the card that Molloy made his debut on in February of last year.
Looking towards the future, Molloy plans to stay as active as possible this year, and he’s hoping to fight at least five or six times. He’s already eyeing up a fight on the undercard of Michael Conlan’s title fight against Luis Alberto Lopez on May 27 in Belfast.
Aside from Molloy, there will be a wealth of Irish talent on display in Leisureland, with the likes of Kurt Walker, Fearghus Quinn and Tiernan Bradley all stepping into the squared circle.
The sold out event will also be broadcast live on TG4 and ESPN+.
