Sligo’s “Block N’ Roll” Heads To Dublin Rumble
Sligo banger Stephen ‘Block’ Reynolds follows up his spectacular July pro debut win in Belfast, as the ‘Block Bandwagon’ packs up and roll south to Dublin after securing a slot on the bumper ‘Rumble In Dublin’ bill at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on Saturday, November 3.
The five-time Irish senior Heavyweight and Super-Heavyweight champion got his career in the professional ranks off to a flying start with a hard fought win over Uganda’s Moses ‘The Black Mamba’ Matovu in a thriller at the Emerald Arena in Belfast. Reynolds, a former world class amateur who competed at two World Championships, attacked his Ugandan opponent from the first bell as the pair the fought at close quarters in what quickly became a slugfest, which thrilled the 300 travelling Sligo fans that made the journey to the northern capital in support of the Ballinacarrow fighter.
“I could barely hear myself think with all the noise on the night. You would have thought there was 30,000 of them there not 300. But the support drove me on in the last round as my legs started to get heavy, and I found that extra reserve to finish the fight strongly,” admitted 39-year-old Reynolds.
“Maybe I didn’t box to my full potential on the night, but after all it was a big occasion for me and I got the win I wanted to badly. No matter how extensive a background I have in the amateur code this was a new experience and I won’t lie but there was nerves, especially as I knew that Matovu was vastly experienced and renowned as a tough scrapper that can sink you with his pressure if you don’t stand firm.
“Now I have a new challenge and will be stepping up to 6 rounds level which is another hurdle on route to getting a shot at that Irish title, which after all is the reason that I am putting myself through all this. I need to get my body used to all these challenges and keep building up and up until I’m am ready for the title shot. At my age I haven’t got time to waste so I want that title wrapped around my waist within a year. Like I keeping saying ‘my pro career is going to a short but very fast and exciting ride’.
“I’ve been in training for weeks already and if I can push hard for the full six rounds then I know that I am on track to achieve my goal and the work I’ve been putting in at the gym with my brother Alan is paying off. I can’t wait to just get back in there again. It was such a buzz after the first fight and I want to make sure that that isn’t the last time I get that feeling,” added the Ballinacarrow Boxing Club coach.
The ‘Rumble in Dublin’ card has a real North and South theme to it with Belfast’s Emerald Promotions and Dublin’s KO Promotions joining forces to bring much of the rising talent in the Ireland all under one roof on the same night with more than 10 top quality fights including with Belfast’s unbeaten Ray Ginley facing Mayo’s former Irish Light-Heavyweight champion John Waldron, County Down knockout artist Paul Moffett facing Dublin fan favourite Brendan Fitzpatrick for the Celtic Title and current Irish Super-Featherweight champion Mickey Coveney putting his title on the line against undefeated stylist Anthony Cacace as well as Ireland only female pro boxer Christina McMahon, Britain’s Number 1 rated Flyweight Luke Wilton and unbeaten prospects like James Tennyson, Michael Waldron and Noel O’Brien bringing more quality to the show.
Tickets for Stephen’s bout at the National Basketball Arena, Dublin on Saturday, November 3 range from €25 tiered seating, €35 floor seating and €45 ringside. Return bus from Sligo for just €10.
Tickets are available in Sligo from Barton Smith Sports, the Adelaide Casino and Ballinacarrow Boxing Club. Alternatively call 087 858 9369 or visit www.greenjab.ie.
Follow Stephen on twitter at @BlockReynolds