Haughian was offered British title shot against Jennings
Lurgan man Stephen Haughian (18-1-1) bids to win his second professional title, having already secured the Irish welterweight title, by overcoming Scotland’s Kevin McIntyre (27-2) for the Celtic title at the Kings Hall, Belfast, on Friday night.
However, as revealed by Haughian’s trainer and manager, John Breen, the proposed fight for the Celtic belt could have been superseded with a shot at the British title against Michael Jennings.
“Just last week I was offered a British title fight on the 3rd of July, but it would have meant pulling out of this one and fighting Michael Jennings for the British title and I turned it down.”
“I think a British title fight will come after this anyway. Stephen is going to win this one on Friday night. Stephen has had a bit of bad luck but he has been looking fantastic in the gym and I forward to big things for Stephen.”
So, providing Haughian prevails against McIntyre on Friday night, Breen is confident a British title fight will be on offer.
“Frank Warren knows that Stephen Haughian is a big ticket seller, so he is the promoter and hopefully he gets Michael Jennings over here.”
Jennings fought in Belfast last year, on the undercard of the first Rogan-Sexton fight, stopping Ballyclare native, Willie Thompson in the fourth round.
Haughian returns to the Kings Hall for the first time since his very controversial loss to Giammario Grassellini (a loss that he later avenged) on the undercard of the Duddy-Eastman fight, and he will be aiming to make it a winning return to the famous Balmoral venue.
The proposed card for Friday 11th June 2010 at the Kings Hall, Belfast is:
Paul McCloskey (20-0) v Giuseppe Lauri (50-6) EBU light-welterweight title
Stephen Haughian (18-1-1) v Kevin McIntyre (27-7) Celtic welterweight title
Jason Cook (26-3-1) v Charlie King (16-2) lightweight
Carl Frampton (5-0) v Ian Bailey (5-4) super bantamweight
Harry Matthews (9-0) v Ciaran Healy (10-15-1)
Middleweight Kris Carslaw (9-2) v Joe Rea (7-1-1) light Middleweight
Luis Garcia (6-0) v Nathan King (12-16) light heavyweight
Andy Murray (19-0) v Jon Baguley (9-18-1) lightweight
Gavin Rees (32-1) v Sam Amoako (6-1) lightweight
Jamie Conlan (2-0) v Delroy Spencer (11-100-3) flyweight
The Yanjing Beer Fight Night will be live on Sky Sports and tickets priced £30, £60 and £90 are available from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets. Contact Ticketmaster 0844 8472455 (0818 719300 from ROI), Box Office 01277 359900, Julie 07745698372, Francie 07803282224.
