Five for 2017: Czar Amonsot vs. Darragh Foley

THE first half of 2017 has produced some memorable moments.

But with a plethora of potential big domestic fights still to be made; we look at the best five matchups that could be locked in before the year is over, starting with a shootout between world rated light welterweights Czar Amonsot and Darragh Foley.

Since the enigmatic Irishman made his move up from lightweight and picked up a WBA affiliated regional title last year, it has seemed as if the aforementioned duo were on a collision course to meet.

Amonsot, 31, is probably the best fighter in his division, but as the conveyer belt of recent subpar opponents seems to suggest, a credible challenge is somewhat overdue for the relocated Filipino, who now calls Melbourne home.

The former world title challenger (34-3-3, 22 KOs) has faced just two domestic opponents since moving to Australia in 2010, with the last being Steven Wills almost four years ago. And while he does have a lofty WBA #3 rating to protect, there is an argument that the WBA #14 Foley would be the easiest route to an official world title eliminator.

By comparison, Foley, 28, a four year professional, has fast tracked his ascension towards a title eliminator. And although his limitations have been showed in past losses to Joebert Delos Reyes and Brandon Ogilvie, the rangey southpaw should be credited for his championship mentality when selecting opponents.

To complicate things further, Amonsot currently holds the interim WBA Oceania bauble, with Foley (12-2, 8 KOs) being the full titleholder.

Although the rules surrounding sanctioning bodies are often muddied, an interim titleholder is typically mandated to challenge the outright champion, as seen in the recent confirmation of an eventual fight between Bilal Akkawy and Jayde Mitchell.

What the experts say (Ben Damon):

“Threshing machine Czar Amonsot is wisely one of the more avoided boxers around the light welterweight division, but Darragh Foley gives strong indications he is genuinely chasing this fight.”

“Both fighters are world ranked and Amonsot is being steered towards a world title shot, but the lure of a high stakes domestic fight could prove tempting.”

“Amonsot would be a deserving dominant favourite here, but Foley showed with his desperate stoppage of Sonny Katiandagho that he possesses boxing’s great equaliser in both hands.”

Photo: Louie Abigail