Pierce O’Leary and Mark Chamberlain will finally meet on Saturday at Dublin’s 3Arena after their original March fight was cancelled when Chamberlain suffered a serious chest infection.
O’Leary used the delay to strengthen his reputation, stopping late replacement Maxi Hughes in the fifth round and entering The Ring’s junior welterweight rankings. The unbeaten 26-year-old is expected to apply pressure again in front of his home crowd.
Chamberlain has moved permanently to 140 pounds after losing to Josh Padley in his final lightweight appearance. His violent majority draw with Jack Rafferty suggested the change in division may have suited him.
Both fighters carry genuine power and are willing to stand their ground during exchanges. O’Leary has developed beyond being a straightforward pressure fighter, while the taller southpaw Chamberlain can operate at range or trade effectively at close quarters.
O’Leary enters as the betting favourite, but Chamberlain remains a dangerous underdog capable of turning the fight with one clean shot.
The undercard includes heavyweight prospect Adam Olaniyan (2-0, 2 KOs) against Jonathan Claudio Sauco (5-2, 1 KO), as the 20-year-old Irishman continues his early professional development.
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Image Credit: Queensberry Promotions