Khalil El Hadri [13(7)-1(0)] he hopes to win the hearts of Irish fight fans as well as the EU super featherweight title in Belfast tomorrow night.
Former French champion fights Eric Donovan [15(8)-2(2)] for the continental title at the Europa Hotel on Saturday, and he has his eyes on winning more than just the strap that will change his career.
The 27-year-old Les Mureaux native has great respect for Ireland’s boxing history and it would mean a lot to him to get a nod of approval from the fight fans in attendance and those who watched via TG4.
“It’s important to me to mark the spirit of the Irish people,” he says.
“They are a true boxing nation. If you appreciate me, it’s beautiful. It means that my boxing can attract everyone. I don’t speak English, my boxing will speak. I will speak your language in the ring. I want to show my potential and touch a nation other than France. I hope to win your hearts.”
Irish fight fans would rave about the Frenchman if he put on a gutsy performance without defeating the local favorite, but that’s not the plan.
The 27-year-old is desperate to win the EU crown.
“This is the most important fight of my career. I cannot fail at this,” she adds.
“This is my first opportunity for an international belt. I have trained like crazy. We go there with a lot of confidence. It’s great to show it in the gym, but you have to show it in the ring and hopefully the 24th will be my day. I have never made a preparation like this. We have worked on things that I am not used to. I am stronger and I am hitting harder.”
While eager to impress Irish fight fans, Donovan’s opponent for the vacant belt wants to show two fingers to some fight fans back home.
The Parisian says he acquired many skeptics after a French title fight loss to Anthony Riviere in recent years, skeptics that he is determined to prove him wrong.
“After my loss for the French national title, a lot of people stopped believing in me. I am going to show them that they were wrong, they will see that they should have believed in me, ”she points out before revealing that he has used that setback as motivation to push himself.
“I’m glad I lost my French title because it gave me incredible strength. I am very happy and I thank God.”
