Dylan Moran [5(3)-0] is the latest to claim he is the best welterweight in Ireland.

The 147lbs division is one packed with noted prospects and, of late, a number of the early days punchers at the weight have been confident enough to point out they are the alpha welter.

The weight is without an Irish champion, with BUI Celtic title holder Jay Byrne putting the belt on the line against Paddy Gallagher in Belfast this coming Friday.

The winner of that clash would be widely assumed the country’s best but there are a host of less experienced fighters keen to point out that, if given the chance, they would prove themselves number one in a division that includes Lewis Crocker, Keane McMahon, Aaron McKenna, John Joyce and more.

Moran is no different. The likable Waterford prospect is aware that he has to prove himself in the ring but thinks, given the opportunity, he will do just that.

“I am not one for name calling, but obviously I am welterweight and I am willing to fight anyone,” Moran told Irish-Boxing.com ahead of his fight on the Assassin ‘Rise Again’ card at the National Basketball Arena this Saturday.

“It’s a quality division it’s always been a quality division, it has the speed it has the power. There are great names around it and I am stuck in the mix with them so, come through October 6th, we will see what happens,” he added before doubling down on his claim of domestic superiority.

“I think I beat them all genuinely,” stated Moran who now steps up to six rounds.

“I honestly think I beat them all and it’s only a matter of time before I get to prove it. I am the first one to say talk is cheap so that’s why I am not going to say I am going to do this and do that. I will do my talking in the ring.”

Moran is out this coming Saturday night and his bout in Tallaght versus Slovak Andrej Moravek [7(1)-14(5)-4] his sole focus for the time being, but there is a sense that if he comes through he may be handed an all Irish clash on Assassins planed Mayo card in December.

The Waterford puncher certainly wants to kick on, stressing his learning is now done.

“I think my learning fights are well and done with. Obviously for now I have to focus on October 6th, but I have spoke to Conor [Slater, Assassin Boxing] and the lads I want to fight for the BUI Celtic title before the end of the year,” he added.

Moran has accounted for his five opponents to date with little or no fuss, but expects Moravek to ask him some questions this coming Saturday, with the Central European having given 8-0 prospect Adrian Martin a scare last month.

The progression hungry Déise fighter is only too delighted that is the case.

“Like I said in my last interview with you, I am five fights in and I haven’t even got out of second gear. This fight hopefully I find him a bit of a handful, hopefully he brings some things to the table and I can show things myself.”

“I need the challenge,” mused the Kilmacthomas 23-year-old. “I am the type of guy the better the fighter the better Dylan turns up.”

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)