Boxer Kuba Pielesz has high hopes of becoming a champion in the professional ranks

There is a new rising star in the professional boxing game in Cork. 

Midleton's Kuba Pielesz is trying to make a name for himself in the sport and with a very accomplished amateur career behind him, the Golden Gloves boxer is expected to go far in the professional ranks.

His first professional fight at the GCU Parochial Hall Arena last February saw him beat Jakub Laskowski on points.

Pielesz will be back in action for his second professional fight on Saturday, May 30th, when he will join follow Cork fighter Cathal Crowley on the card at a JB Promotions Unfinished Business action-packed event at Leopardstown racecourse.

Kuba, who hails from Midleton just outside Cork City, was born in Poland and came over to live in Cork when he was two years of age.

He has had an amazing amateur career, winning a national senior championship at 63.5 kg, which is one of the hardest and busiest weight divisions to win. 

He was also the Cork boxer of the year in 2024/25, the Cork boxer of the month for January 2024. 

He won five county and Munster championships, and also won at multiple championships at different shows around the country.

Kuba first walked into Midleton Boxing Club when he was eight years old.

There he was looked after by all the club coaches until his was 19 years old. 

He then decided to make the move to the Golden Gloves Boxing Club in Churchfield.

John Morrissey was his coach there for the last two years of his amateur career and soon after joining that club he became a national senior champion.

At the time Kuba didn’t hold a Irish passport, which meant that after he won at national championship he couldn’t train or join in with the Irish Elite training squad, so he decided to chase his childhood dream and join the professional ranks.

“My first experience of boxing was when I walked into the Midleton Boxing Club as a very young eight year old,” Kuba said.

“I stayed with Midleton until I was 19 years old, and then made the move the Golden Gloves Boxing Club in the city to train under John Morrissey where I went on to win the senior championship title.

“I am totally obsessed with boxing, and have been since I was a kid really, and now, I'm even more focused, and I’m finally where I always wanted to be. 

"I still can’t believe it that I reached my goal to become a boxer in the professional ranks, like all my heroes that I grew up watching when I was a kid.

“I totally believe in myself, and I know I have what it takes to become a world champion in the next seven or eight years. 

"I live for this sport. I sleep, train, eat and study it to improve every day. 

"Irish and Cork boxing is buzzing at the moment, and I believe I'm the next big thing coming out of Cork, alongside the all other great talents that came before me."

For Kuba, who claimed intermediate Irish title success, turning professional isn’t a whim or a fallback for him, it’s the plan he had since he first laced up gloves and now he is fulfilling his dream.

He is now under the watchful eye of one of Ireland’s best coaches Pascal Collins in Dublin at the Celtic Warriors Gym, alongside many of the other professional talents. 

Kuba has Dave O’Connell looking after his strength and conditioning work at the UCC Mardyke Arena, and he is very grateful to all his past amateur coaches for backing him on my journey.

The Cork fighter admits the amateur route ultimately confirmed what he already believed and that his style was built for the paid ranks. 

Professional boxing is wearing opponents down, sitting on shots, blocking, and firing back, and it’s a different mindset, more suited to 8oz gloves than point-scoring exchanges in the amateur ranks.

“I am extremely lucky that I now train with my fellow Cork boxers Gary Spike O’Sullivan and Cathal Crowley, and train under the direction of one of Ireland's greatest coaches in Pascal Collins at Celtic Warriors in Dublin. 

"However, when I am back home Dave O’Connell looks after my strength and conditioning training at the UCC Mardyke Arena.

“I made my professional debut against another Polish fighter Jukub Laskowski in a four round Welterweight bout, which I won on points at the Martin Horgan Event at the Parochial Hall in February.

“I just received the news that I will be back out on May 30th on the JB Promotions card at Leopardstown Race Course and I can’t wait to put on another good show there.

“I am always looking for sponsors to join the team and be part of my journey to the top, and I would be very grateful and certainly won’t leave anyone down who gets on board with my team,” Pielesz added.