Darragh Foley opponent confirmed for St. Patrick’s Day showcase

DARRAGH Foley will have the opportunity to lead the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations with a victory at The Star in Sydney.

The well-received series of Sydney-based events named after Johnny Lewis will host it’s second installment at The Star on St Patrick’s Day, being Saturday 17th March, with enigmatic and world rated Irishman Darragh Foley topping the bill.

Foley, 29, will look to carry over the rich form he enjoyed in 2017, where he scored four victories against credible opposition – lifting a slew of regional titles in the process – while also securing a WBA #11 world rating with the Panama-based sanctioning body.

Despite facing a series of upset-minded challengers of late, Foley’s next opponent will prove to be no different, with WBA #14 rated Canadian Steven Wilcox signing to face the Sydney-based Foley.

Wilcox (18-2-1, 5 KOs), who resides out of Ontario and is riding a three-fight win streak, sees Foley as the best opportunity to move towards the WBA light welterweight crown, which was recently vacated by Terence Crawford. The 27-year-old has reigned as a WBA affiliated regional titleholder in North America since 2016 and has never been finished, in spite of the three blemishes on his punch-for-pay resume.

2017 was a testing year for me. I went 4 from 4 which is the bottom line but i was involved in some unnecessary wars. 1 positive of this is i learned more about myself in 12 months than i had previously in 28 years. I was down i was up, behind and infront cut up and damaged after fights and unhappy that i never really displayed what i possess but not once did i quit or relent or retreat and surrender i fought my heart out and got the job done. I honestly believe you have to kill me to stop me coming. Thank you to everybody from the bottom of my heart who has supported me/ sponsored me/ wished me well or even prayed for my downfall, you all continue to inspire me. I wish everyone well in 2018, go follow your dreams fuck it whats the worst that can happen want it more than your afraid of it and you will succeed. Thanks for being in my corner. Forever in yours ? #2018 #SUPER #forever

A post shared by Darragh Foley (@superfoley1) on Dec 31, 2017 at 6:51am PST

The undercard also promises to be as entertaining as the main event with several evenly-matched title fights between some best kept secrets in Australian boxing.

With former Commonwealth title challenger Jack Brubaker on the sidelines due to the cut he suffered against Kris George in October, recently crowned OPBF welterweight ruler Ben Savva will make the first defence of his title against former regional titleholder and Newcastle-based entertainer Kyron Dryden.

The main card will also boast the return of Australian lightweight champion Haithem Laamouz, who is back on our shores following a short-lived stint in Europe. The undefeated Sydney resident, who originally resided out of Malta, makes his first defence since lifting the belt with a highlight-reel knockout over Joebert Delos Reyes last year.

Laamouz will face ambitions is Victorian titleholder, Gaige Ireland, who lifted the state title in 2016 before successfully defending his strap last August.

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Words: Press Release
Photo: Louie Abigail