Sligo banger Stephen
'Block' Reynolds follows up his spectacular July pro debut win in
Belfast, as the 'Block Bandwagon' packs up and roll south to Dublin
after securing a slot on the bumper 'Rumble In Dublin' bill at the
National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Saturday, November
3.
The five-time Irish
senior Heavyweight and Super-Heavyweight champion got his career in
the professional ranks off to a flying start with a hard fought win
over Uganda's Moses 'The Black Mamba' Matovu in a thriller at the
Emerald Arena in Belfast. Reynolds, a former world class amateur
who competed at two World Championships, attacked his Ugandan
opponent from the first bell as the pair the fought at close
quarters in what quickly became a slugfest, which thrilled the 300
travelling Sligo fans that made the journey to the northern capital
in support of the Ballinacarrow fighter.
"I could barely hear
myself think with all the noise on the night. You would have
thought there was 30,000 of them there not 300. But the support
drove me on in the last round as my legs started to get heavy, and
I found that extra reserve to finish the fight strongly," admitted
39-year-old Reynolds.
"Maybe I didn't box to my
full potential on the night, but after all it was a big occasion
for me and I got the win I wanted to badly. No matter how extensive
a background I have in the amateur code this was a new experience
and I won't lie but there was nerves, especially as I knew that
Matovu was vastly experienced and renowned as a tough scrapper that
can sink you with his pressure if you don't stand
firm.
"Now I have a new
challenge and will be stepping up to 6 rounds level which is
another hurdle on route to getting a shot at that Irish title,
which after all is the reason that I am putting myself through all
this. I need to get my body used to all these challenges and keep
building up and up until I'm am ready for the title shot. At my age
I haven't got time to waste so I want that title wrapped around my
waist within a year. Like I keeping saying 'my pro career is going
to a short but very fast and exciting ride'.
"I've been in training
for weeks already and if I can push hard for the full six rounds
then I know that I am on track to achieve my goal and the work I've
been putting in at the gym with my brother Alan is paying off. I
can't wait to just get back in there again. It was such a buzz
after the first fight and I want to make sure that that isn't the
last time I get that feeling," added the Ballinacarrow Boxing Club
coach.
The 'Rumble in Dublin'
card has a real North and South theme to it with Belfast's Emerald
Promotions and Dublin's KO Promotions joining forces to bring much
of the rising talent in the Ireland all under one roof on the same
night with more than 10 top quality fights including with Belfast's
unbeaten Ray Ginley facing Mayo's former Irish Light-Heavyweight
champion John Waldron, County Down knockout artist Paul Moffett
facing Dublin fan favourite Brendan Fitzpatrick for the Celtic
Title and current Irish Super-Featherweight champion Mickey Coveney
putting his title on the line against undefeated stylist Anthony
Cacace as well as Ireland only female pro boxer Christina McMahon,
Britain's Number 1 rated Flyweight Luke Wilton and unbeaten
prospects like James Tennyson, Michael Waldron and Noel O'Brien
bringing more quality to the show.
Tickets for Stephen's
bout at the National Basketball Arena, Dublin on Saturday, November
3 range from €25 tiered seating, €35 floor seating and €45
ringside. Return bus from Sligo for just €10.
Tickets are available in
Sligo from Barton Smith Sports, the Adelaide Casino and
Ballinacarrow Boxing Club. Alternatively call 087 858 9369 or visit
www.greenjab.ie.
15/10/2012 13:40:15