Newly-signed Matchroom boxer Bradley Saunders jets in to Ireland to spar European champ Stephen Ormond
Eddie Hearn held a press conference at Newcastle United FC on Monday to unveil their latest addition to Matchroom Boxing – Bradley Saunders 10(8)-0-0, and the announcement that he had been added to the undercard of Cleverley-Bellew II on November 22nd in Liverpool.
The hard-hitting WBO Inter-Continental light-welterweight champion then jetted off to Ireland the following day to spar the current WBO European lightweight champion, Stephen Ormond 17(8)-1-0 at his gym in Dublin.
While Saunders used the sparring session as preparation for his next fight in under two weeks time at The Echo Arena in Liverpool; Ormond, 31-years-old from Dublin, prepares to defend his title against unbeaten Terry Flanagan 25(9)-0-0 in Sheffield on December 13th.
“The last few days have been hectic,” said Saunders. “I wish I got paid air miles but it will all be worth it in the end.”
On sparring with the WBO European lightweight champion known in Ireland as ‘The Rock’, Saunders went on to say, “Ste has been top sparring for me. He is looking at a world title next year and these are the ones that I want to be in there with – no less. I am looking forward to the 22nd now.”
Saunders’ coach from The MGM Gym in Marbella, Seamus Macklin, has ulterior motives for travelling to his country of origin as older brother Matthew fights in Dublin at the weekend when he faces WBC International middleweight champion, Jorge Sebastian Heiland at The 3Arena, live on Sky Sports.
The 32-year-old Mack the Knife meets the Argentine in a WBC World title eliminator in his first fight in Ireland since December 2009.
The MGM Gym coach commented, "The gym's got five fighters on the show – obviously Matthew, David McGuire, Kofi Yates, Declan Geraghty and Anthony Fitzgerald.
Bradley's manager Daniel gets on well with Steven's coach so they have been talking for a while and arranged the sparring opportunity, he explained, "It was good sparring, they both didn't go crazy, it was heated but friendly and they both got managed to get some good shots off."
On the weekend's big fight, Seamus shared his optimism for brother, Matthew, "I think he'll win and maybe even get the stoppage. He's maybe in the best shape ever both mentally and physically."
Saunders’ bow under Hearn comes on a huge night of boxing in Merseyside as Bellew and Cleverly meet in their long-awaited rematch, with Scott Quigg and Jamie McDonnell defending their World titles against Hidenori Othake and Walberto Ramos respectively.
James DeGale meets Marco Antonio Periban while two of his British super-middleweight peers are in action as George Groves meets Denis Douglin and Callum Smith tackles Nikole Sjekloca in a WBC World title eliminator.
Rising heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua MBE defends his WBC International title against Michael Sprott in a British title eliminator while German KO sensation Vincent Feigenbutz makes his UK debut and promoter Eddie Hearn is set to add another name to the bill soon.
To follow Bradley Saunders on Twitter click here @bradsaunders86
Bradley would like to thank his sponsors; webuyanyhouse.com, ESRG Group, Muscle World HQ, his trainer Seamus Macklin and his team at the MGM Gym Marbella, plus his manager, Daniel Kinahan and PR Manager, Tim Rickson