Cork boxer Steven Cairns eyes European title as he takes on Senan Kelly in biggest bout of his career

Cork professional boxer Steven Cairns will be back in action this Saturday night when he defends his WBA Continental Lightweight title against fellow Irishman Senan Kelly at the 3Arena.

Cairns was crowned the WBA Continental Lightweight champion when he stopped English fighter Arnie Dawson in a Queensberry Promotion event, also in Dublin last March. 

That was a huge test for 'The Irish Takeover' but he put in another fantastic performance to send his opponent to the canvas three times in the ninth round, causing the referee to step in and stop the fight.

Kelly will be another tough bout for the Leeside, as he has an excellent record of 12-1 with his only loss coming against unbeaten fighter Ben Marksby last year. For Kelly, a victory would put him back in contention for a European title.

Cairns, who entered the WBA World Lightweight rankings at 15, will be looking to remain unbeaten to go 15-0.

"I’m really looking forward to this fight, it’s my first time in an all-Irish fight and it’s gonna be the best Steven Cairns boxing has seen yet.

"My training camp was good, it was long and it was hard but I made so much improvement from the last fight. I also got some great sparring in with Jack Rafferty and Levi Giles in preparation for this fight.

“I think my opponent Kelly is a good fighter and we obviously know of each other from the past, so I’m expecting a great fight and it will bring the best out in me in there. 

I expect to break him down by taking him out and putting in a career-best performance.

"We have hundreds of Cork fans making the trip up for the fight and I love fighting in front of all my friends and family as the buzz is unreal, so I can’t wait to get in there and put on a show for them."

He expects to go 15-0 by putting on another eye-catching display in front of the DAZN TV cameras and pushing on towards a European belt.

Huge prospect

Cairns' trainer is Rotherham-based David Coldwell, who was a former professional boxer and is a world-renowned trainer after working with World Heavyweight champion Tony Bellew. 

He also worked with others like heavyweight Derek Chisora and World Bantamweight champion brothers Jamie and Gavin McDonnell.

"I think Steven is definitely the best prospect that I have seen coming out of Ireland and England for years,” David said.

"He is the complete boxer who soaks in every piece of information and his work ethic is something that I haven’t seen in a boxer for a long time. However, he is a pleasure to work with, as he is such a humble and pleasant young man.

"I am looking forward to this fight, as it is another test of how much he has come on in the last couple of years. However, in what I have seen in this training camp, I know that all his travelling supporters are in for a treat, as he is looking very sharp and focused."