Galway boxer Kieran Molloy is ready to get back to business and put his Madison Square Garden heartbreak behind him when he returns to the ring this Saturday.
Molloy (1-0-0), who frequently trains with Anthony Joshua, squares off with Evgeny Vazern this Saturday as part of the undercard for Michael Conlan’s comeback bout with Miguel Marriaga. It will be Molloy’s second professional appearance after winning on his pro-debut back in February.
The 23-year-old had been due to fight at Madison Square Garden in New York a couple of months ago. However, the fight never took place as his opponent dramatically tested positive for covid on the day of the weigh-ins.
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“It was disappointing of course,” admits the light-middleweight.
"Especially finding out the day of the weigh-in. literally all the hard work was done, was bang on-weight, training camp done, and everyone was over as well.
"That’s what hit home the most is the fact that so many people travelled over and spent their hard-earned money. And to have to let them down like that…
"Look, that’s what’s in professional boxing. You just never know.
All fighters dream of fighting under the bright lights at ‘The Mecca of boxing,’ and for Molloy, the opportunity to fulfil this dream in just his second pro-fight was fairy-tale stuff. But that fairy-tale turned into a nightmare when news broke that his opponent Ryan Burns was out of the fight after testing positive for covid.
“I was excited, and I was nervous as well though,” says the Galwegian.
"Just because having your second fight at Madison Square Garden, when many world champions don’t even get the chance to fight there.
"To be in your second fight at MSG was class.
"To be preparing for it, the whole lead up to it was exciting. And yeah when I got the bad news, I was heartbroken."
Such emotions are of course understandable. Who wouldn’t be crushed at having their dream snatched away from them at the eleventh hour?
But Molloy didn’t sulk for too long and with the support of his team and family, he was able to bounce back quickly.
“I really was very, very upset about it, especially knowing all the work I put into it.
“But I’ve got a great team around me, and we just regrouped straight away really. Took a week off enjoyed the rest of my time in New York, the Top Rank team were also very helpful.
“I had my mum, dad, and girlfriend there which was nice when you’re feeling low. But that’s boxing, and you just got to yourself with a good team that can help you through these situations.”
For many, that disappointment could have been a knockout blow. But that’s certainly not the case for Molloy, with the highly touted prospect itching to put on a show for the fans at the SSE Arena on Saturday night.
"I’m excited now. I’ve always been in big fights in the elites and stuff. When I was in elite finals it was always the biggest fight of the night.
"I always bring a good crowd so I’m looking forward to reliving one of those moments again with all the crowd behind me.
"I’m excited for this one, I don’t feel any pressure and I’m just really looking forward to it.
And how does Molloy see this one playing out?
“The main thing is to go for the win. I’m a good boxer, a lot of people think I just go for Knockouts, but I’m a good boxer as well.
"So, I’m going to box and if the KO comes, I’ll take it with both hands”
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