By Jason Redmond
Considered one of Wexford’s latest skilled boxers, David ‘Bomber’ Kennedy, has pencilled in a fresh-new date, along with his subsequent pro-boxing bout confirmed. The Gorey boxer will likely be preventing on the ‘A Night time of Champions’ card within the Nationwide Stadium in Dublin on April twelfth 2025.
Wexford Weekly had the chance to meet up with the Gorey man after the announcement.
Kennedy, who’s 1-0 within the professional ranks, was pressured out of a earlier combat on account of damage. One week forward of the combat, he broke a bone in his hand which dominated him out of motion. At the beginning of his profession, and wanting to combat, it was a blow for Kennedy:
“Yeah, it was robust to take on the time. A damaged hand is just not best. However, look it, we obtained over it and we’re again flying match now for the April twelfth present within the Nationwide Stadium. I had a superb group round me on the time who stored the spirits excessive, however now, we simply transfer on,” he mentioned.
“My hand is ideal now. I feel I’ve completed 18 rounds sparring this week already. I’ve one other six on Saturday. The hand is 100%”, he informed Wexford Weekly.
With the suitable rehab completed, and along with his hand again proper, Kennedy’s first port-of-call was getting again into the boxing ring, eyeing up a brand new potential combat date.
As talked about, he will likely be preventing on the ‘A Night time of Champions’ card, which is promoted by each Conlan Sport and JB Promotions. Combat preparations are already underway:
“Preparations are going effectively. I don’t suppose I’ve ever been as match coming right into a combat camp than I’m now. It’s seven weeks till combat night time, however to be trustworthy – I’d be able to go now. It’s about nailing down a couple of technical issues now earlier than we get in and combat, however all good – the preparations are going very effectively,” he mentioned.
Though he’s a proud Gorey and Wexford man, Kennedy has been doing loads of coaching and sparring in Sallynoggin in Dublin. He resides in Gorey, however he repeatedly travels as much as the South Dublin boxing membership. Right here, Kevin Cronin – who’s getting ready for a showdown in Maddison Sq. Backyard towards Dublin’s Emmett Brennan – additionally trains. During the last 12 months, the pair have grow to be sparring companions. Each are on their very own journey, however each are studying in each single coaching session from one another:
“I made the transfer to Lewins Boxing Gymnasium in Sallynoggin final 12 months. I feel it was simply the best transfer for me on the proper time. Me and Johnny obtained on effectively, in addition to Nicky and Parky. All of us gelled collectively from the beginning. It was the proper transfer actually. The lads are high coaches up there.”
“However, I’d prefer to additionally give a shout-out to Gorey Boxing Membership. Anytime I want to coach there, there’s no trouble. There’s high coaches in there too. You’ll be able to see that too with the likes of Kayleigh Byrne, Eoin Kennedy lately successful a Leinster title, and Cillian Sheridan who’s down there flying it in the mean time too. The membership is actually in secure palms with the likes of Niall Murray, Rocky Sheridan, and all of the trainers there too,” Bomber informed Wexford Weekly.
The April twelfth present can’t come fast sufficient for Kennedy. His debut was within the Pink Cow in Dublin in October of 2024, successful by a unanimous resolution on the decide’s scorecards. His boxing IQ was clear for everybody in attendance to see, dominating the proceedings and never permitting his Polish opponent any clear reduce alternatives for a possible upset. For April twelfth, his intention stays solely on placing in one other wonderful efficiency.
“You’ll be able to count on slick, sharp boxing. And clearly, if the knock-out presents itself, I’ll be making an attempt my greatest to take that too. Because the saying goes, you don’t receives a commission for over-time in boxing,” he mentioned.
This Dublin combat in April will likely be Bomber’s first combat of 2025. Though he’s not trying previous it, he does envisage 2025 being a giant 12 months for him the place he’ll be concentrating on a number of fights in a bid to construct up his skilled report.
“That is my first combat in 2025. I need to be very energetic in 2025. I’d love three to 4 fights this 12 months. I’d love a combat down in Wexford additionally – and I’m certain the 2 Deans (Dean Walsh and Dean Gonzalez Furlong) would too. There’s three skilled boxers now from Wexford – so it’s not too far out of the gap,” Kennedy informed Wexford Weekly.
On the time of writing, Kennedy is unaware of his opponent simply but. With these fights, they’re usually solely confirmed the week earlier than the combat. Promoters work onerous within the background to seek out opponents, and repeatedly, opponents again out of the combat. It provides one other dimension to preparations, as he realistically is not going to pay attention to his opponent’s fashion or something about him till combat week.
One other Wexford boxer, Dean Walsh, will even be preventing on the identical card in Dublin. Dean Gonzalez Furlong is not going to be on this card, however we are able to solely reveal that he’ll headline a present in March, with additional particulars to be revealed later. It’s certain to be a superb night time of boxing for boxing followers not simply from Wexford, however nationwide.