AFTER a couple of years away from home, Stephen Ormond will finally step into the ring in Dublin again as he looks set to ignite what will be hopefully be a busy and productive time for the Clondalkin man.
The Rock will take on tough Polish opponent Jacek Wylezol in the National Stadium on Saturday July 4, as part of the Macklin’s Gym Marbella (MGM)/BoxNation card in the capital titled New Beginnings.
The bout is, indeed, a new beginning for Ormond who will fight for the first time since being disqualified against Terry Matthews back in February in what was a world title eliminator.
Speaking to IrishBoxing.com on his preparation for the fight, the Celtic Warrior Gym fighter said: “I took one week off before jumping into a six-week camp. I probably needed the week off before that because I’m always in the gym.
“This fight is an eight-rounder, and I did eight rounds on my very first. day of sparring in the camp so I’m fit enough.”
On the Polish opponent he will face in the fight set for eight rounds, the 32 year-old said: “He’s gone a few title fights of 10 rounds so he’s tough. He’s a righty and he keeps coming at you so it will be nice to get the rounds in, it’s going to be good.”
Ormond was also quizzed on the ongoing negotiations with Frank Warren and talk of big-time boxing returning to Dublin.
“I don’t want to say too much but hopefully we’re going to sort something out next week,” he said. “But it would be good to be fighting back here regularly, in front of my hometown fans and in the Three Arena eventually.”
The lightweight also has his previous opponent in his long-term sights, as he looks to set the record straight with Flanagan.
“I don’t want to make excuses,” he said. “He beat me, but he didn’t beat the real me. I had a few problems outside of the ring which I don’t want to go into, and I was only out for ten months too.
“Now that I’m getting busy again and know what I can do, I’d love a rematch off him, which he promised me and I’ll be holding him to that.”
With Flanagan set to fight Anthony Crolla soon with the WBA and WBO belts on the line, the Rock will surely be eying up whoever comes out on top in that one.
