SK Promotions ‘Next Generation’ – Opponent Analysis

The CityWest Hotel in Saggart will play host to the inaugural SK Promotions show – ‘Next Generation.’

A six-fight small hall show – the first small haller in Dublin two years – it looks to be a refreshingly well-matched card with intriguing fights from top to bottom.

Below Irish-Boxing.com takes a look at the men that will be in the opposition corner, what they bring to the table, and what sort of fights fans are in store for.

Following a very tough debut win over Alec Bazza, lightweight Liam Gaynor [1(0)-0] has been handed another test. The Tallaght teen talent will take on Poland’s Krzysztof Rogowski [10(5)-23(13)] over four rounds. The 36 year veteran was a top amateur before going down the journeyman route, providing a rugged foe for prospects that is always up for an inside fight.. A frequent visitor to these shores, the Eastern European boxer has fought numerous times in Ireland. Recently he was stopped to the body in the second round by former amateur star Eric Donovan, and just last month was eventually stopped in the fifth by Allan Phelan following a back-and-forth war. As always, Rogowski will come forward, trade, and look to make it a messy fight.

Waterford middleweight Craig McCarthy [1(0)-0] continues. In a step-up from his debut fight with Curtis Gargano last month, the Déise boxer will face Poland’s Michael Ciach [1(0)-1(1)] over four rounds. Inexperienced on the pro scene, Ciach provided very durable opposition most recently to light heavyweight puncher Sam Barron, going the distance in September. It is another opponent that will hold a size advantage over McCarthy, and one which should make for a decent fight.

Dublin lightweight Victor Rabei [2(0)-0] is in with familiar Pole Damian Lawniczak [4(0)-25(3)-1] over four. The Eastern European is one of the better journeymen on the circuit and, in the last few months, the 37 year old has been involved in very entertaining and competitive fights with Dubliners Aiden Metcalfe and Karl Kelly. A talented fighter, Lawniczak will look to adjust to what Rabei brings and will be willing to box or fight depending on what ‘The Chisinau Cyclone’ decides to do. Rabei himself is aiming to force a rare stoppage and make a statement – which it certainly would be.

Making his debut at middleweight over four rounds, Leinster Rugby strength and conditioning coach Cillian Reardonhas been handed a durable foe. Reardon will face Nicaraguan Santos Medrano [10(3)-56(11)-4] on the bill and, as ever with debuts, the level of opposition is not a major factor, with the main goal being to provide an introduction to pro boxing. A durable, albeit negative, foe, the Barcelona-based southpaw went four with Connor Coyle last year, and also survived an onslaught from Thomas Finnegan during the Summer. Reardon is said to have big power, and it will be interesting to see if he can make a dent on the experienced survivor.

There is a domestic dust-up on the card too, with Newbridge light heavy Chris Mullally [1(0)-0] taking on Dublin-Dominican Manny Bique [0-1(1)]. Mullally was involved in an exciting debut against Przemyslaw Binienda in September where he started strong with a stalking style but tired quickly before rescuing a win with a late knockdown. Bique was stopped in his own debut last month by Vladimir Belujsky. The Caribbean fighter, who carries power, came in aggressively, and was dropped and stopped in the second round after trading with his Cork opponent. An intriguing fight, will Bique be more cautious? Will Mullally’s stamina have increased? Will it be cagey or will it be another shoot-out?

Headlining the bill is Tallaght light welter Sean Creagh [6(2)-1(1)]. The fan-favourite brawler will box HungarianFerenc Jarko [2(1)-2(1)] over six in a solid, if unspectacular, bill-topper. The 21 year old Hungarian was stopped in the first by Belfast’s Lewis Crocker – however this result can be somewhat disregarded considering the esteem in which the prospect is held. A more relevant taster of his skills can be deduced from his fight with Shortty Carroll in May. Here the Magyar youngster posed Creagh’s rival some problems before eventually being outpointed over six.

All in all it’s a very solid start for SK Promotions with no nothing fights and progression for all the fighters,