‘Vicious’ Kieran Farrell has hailed new trainer John Breen as “the final piece of the jigsaw” as he prepares for the first of what the Heywood youngster hopes will be many title fights. 21-year-old Farrell, 12-0, meets fellow unbeaten fighter Joe Elfidh of Harworth on Coldwell Boxing’s Friday, June 22 Viva La Vicious show at the De Vere Whites Hotel in Bolton, with the Central Area lightweight crown at stake. After recently linking up with Coldwell Boxing and Belfast coach Breen, who has trained several world champions including Dave ‘Boy’ McCauley and Paul ‘Hoko’ Hodkinson, Farrell believes he is now ready to begin in earnest the long, arduous journey towards a world title..
“I originally went to John’s gym in Belfast to spar Paul McCloskey but he’d already made other arrangements,” explained the exciting Farrell who began boxing aged seven and is a former junior ABA champion. “John took me on the pads and I learned so much working with him for just an hour.
“John found out when I split from Bobby Rimmer and asked if I would consider training with him in Belfast. I’m happy with Dave Coldwell and now the final piece in the jigsaw is John, with his assistant Eamonn Magee who I grew up watching. I’ve found that piece bang on time too, with my first title fight coming up. John’s trained lots of world champions, he has a great reputation and for him to invite me to train with him – he said he would only go out of his way for a fighter he believes in – is a huge boost to my confidence.”
Farrell spent three weeks with Breen and Magee before his last fight, an impressive points win over the durable Jason Nesbitt, who he dropped on the recent Carl Froch-Lucian Bute bill. Preparing for Elfidh, Farrell has for the first time spent a full training camp in Belfast, only returning briefly last week to attend the scan of his first child, due in December.
“My girlfriend doesn’t mind me being out there because I’m doing it for them,” Kieran explains. “I’ll have two mouths to feed now! This is my first title fight and I’m happy to make the sacrifice. I can’t wait to show everyone what I can do.”
Farrell has won his first 12 fights at a canter but Elfidh is a marked step up from the journeymen opposition on whom he has been feasting. The man from Nottinghamshire is 7-0 and coming off a great win over previously undefeated former ABA champion and England amateur rep Joe Hughes. The title duel is the latest in a long line of well-matched potentially thrilling main events staged by Coldwell Boxing, Britain’s fastest-growing promotional outfit.
“This is a risky fight for Farrell but I believe he has the talent and the tenacity to come through a dangerous opponent in Elfidh,” Coldwell Boxing MD Dave Coldwell says. “Their styles should mesh for an enjoyable fight and I feel the time is right for Kieran to step up and show just why we at Coldwell Boxing have such faith in him. This should be the first of many title victories for Kieran and I expect him to achieve it in a cracking scrap.”
The intriguing Farrell-Elfidh showdown headlines Coldwell Boxing’s latest entertaining show, Viva La Vicious, on Friday, June 22 at the De Vere Whites Hotel in Bolton. Also on the bill, unbeaten ex-amateur star Hosea Burton continues his apprenticeship, Liam Conroy and Chris Healy make their pro debuts and prospects including Matty Clarkson and Maxine McCarthy aim to impress.
Tickets are flying out for but there are still some available so get them while you can. Go to www.coldwellboxing.com to secure your place at what could be the genesis of British boxing’s next big thing..