An extremely frustrated Jay Byrne hopes Senan Kelly will be rewarded for the bravery he has shown early next month.
Kelly headlines Byrne’s second promotion at the Warehouse at the Red Cow on February 9 when he takes part in an intriguing BUI Celtic title clash with Welsh champions Jake Tinklin.
Byrne had hoped to put the Kildare fighter up against Irish opponents to add extra value to the card, but says he found no willing local opponents.
As a result, he had to look further afield and pay a purse to try and give his fighter a title shot. The former pro claims it’s a “ridiculous” scenario, but notes that he’s willing to take the financial hit for Kelly’s sake and is confident the Pete Taylor-trained fighter will be rewarded for his willingness to fight.
“I’m delighted to have got this fight over,” he tells Irish-boxing.com.
“The lack of Irish boxers wanting to fight for titles or fight each other is worrying for the sport. It’s bothered me since the beginning of my career, but seeing 7 years later nothing has changed is a joke.
“Having to pay for a Welsh opponent to come and fight for a BUI title is ridiculous, however you have to give Senan credit because he feels he is ready and wants this title.”
“I had 11 opponents to try and make this fight and it came down to three, two of whom were outpriced, suggesting they obviously didn’t like me, and we picked the Welsh champion.”
Tinklin represents Kelly’s biggest test to date and he will love his chances of coming to Dublin. However, the JB Promotions boss has full faith that he will be the first national title winner in 2024.
“My job as Senan’s coach is to guide him towards progression and he asked for this title, so I feel like I have fulfilled it.
“I watched the opponent and he can box, he also has experience in title fights, but I feel like Senan wins once he shows up ready and puts it on Jake. I sent it to Senan’s coach and he approved it too.”
This is exactly the kind of opportunity the JB Promotions light welterweight has been looking for and it’s the kind of fight Byrne believes could help him move up a level.
“I think this could be Senan’s creation. This is a kid who has trained alongside some great fighters over the last few years, fighters who have been on the big stage in main events like Sean McComb, Tyrone [McKenna]jazz [Dickens] and gary [Gary Cully], now it’s his turn to be the starter and go in search of his first title. Please, God, may I put my hand up and fight for an Irish title in May.”
