A deadline has been set for Pierce O’Leary, the newly-crowned European super-lightweight champion, to reach an agreement for his maiden title defence.
The 25-year-old claimed his EBU strap after outpointing Liam Dillon, a naturally smaller fighter, at Portman Road – the home of Ipswich Town Football Club – earlier this month.
Despite contending with a notable size disadvantage, Dillon displayed his tremendous durability and relentlessness to hear the final bell, only to then suffer a unanimous decision defeat.
As a result, O’Leary, 17-0 (9 KOs), came away with his first meaningful title in the professional ranks, setting the stage for a potential homecoming later this year.
Indeed, his promoter, Frank Warren, has expressed an eagerness to take the Irishman back to Dublin, teasing that plans are already being forged for his next outing.
But while the Queensberry Promotions boss has remained reluctant to reveal any possible opponents, it would now appear that O’Leary could soon face mandatory challenger Jon Fernandez.
According to the EBU website, the pair have until July 15 to strike a deal, with a purse bid hearing set to take place should they fail to sign on the dotted line.
Fernandez, 27-3 (22 KOs), to his credit, has only ever fallen short against stiff opposition, as previous defeats to O’Shaquie Foster and Michel Rivera, in particular, have removed very little from his credentials at European level.
Now campaigning at 140lbs, the Spaniard comes off a third-round disqualification victory over Ricardo Nunez – a sturdy super-lightweight operator – after flooring his man in the second frame.
In any case, it remains to be seen whether O’Leary will, in fact, take on the 29-year-old, while his eagerly-awaited homecoming, at the same time, seemingly represents a priority.
