‘Sugar’ Rea aims for sweet taste of victory

BALLYMENA boxer Joe ‘Sugar’ Rea is revelling in his role as underdog in his forthcoming fight with Commonwealth Games gold medallist Eamonn O’Kane.

The pair meet on the undercard of Paul McCloskey’s WBA Light Welterweight title eliminator against Colombian Breidis Prescott at the Odyssey Arena this Saturday night.

‘Sugar’ Rea, originally from Fisherwick, cut his boxing teeth with Ballymena’s renowned All Saints club but only really sprang to prominence after relocating to America, where he is developing an increasing legion of admirers within the sport’s professional ranks.

He has a record of 7-5-1 (KO 4), but has now lost 5 out of his last 6 contests and 5 contests on the spin after his withdrawal at the end of the 4th round of his bout with former Commonwealth Games gold medallist, Kenny Anderson during their 6 rounder at the majestic Colne Municipal Hall in Lancashire, last month.

Struggling to find fights, Rea answered the call with less than 3 days notice when Anderson’s opponent withdrew but he has promised to put the record straight for this fight against local favourite O’Kane, 2-0 (KO 2), who is riding high after winning his own Commonwealth gold.

“I’m back training in Belfast after a short stint in London and training has being going great at the Breen Gym,” outlined a relieved Rea who was pleased to be back in familiar surroundings.

“What people might forget is that the most notice I had for those fights was 10 days and even down as far as only 3 days. I needed the dough so I took them and although I am a natural light-middleweight I was fighting guys well heavier than me,” said the Ballymena battler giving a glimpse into the tough life a fighter can often face.

“My last 3 fights were simply about money but this different, this is about pride,” blasted the 28-year-old Rea.

“Styles make fights and I will outbox Eamonn. O’Kane will come straight out at me, like a bull and try and smoother me but I ready for that as well.”

“I watched one of his amateur fights recently. It was a video from a in a multi-nations competition from last May and he was stopped with a body shot there are also video of him from the WSB (World Series of Boxing) but they are only short and I watched the video of his debut that Boxing-Ireland.com put on line,” added Joe.

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