After the eyes of the boxing world were on Croke Park for Katie Taylor’s historic farewell just three weeks ago, last Saturday night saw Irish boxing fans treated to another exciting night of domestic action at the National Stadium, courtesy of Jay Byrne and JB Promotions.
It was a night that had a bit of everything: debutants, comebacks, competitive domestic match-ups and, ultimately, the crowning of a new Irish champion at Super-Bantamweight. All 11 bouts brought their own excitement, while the fans played their part in creating a lively atmosphere as the night progressed.
Bout 1: Darragh Brady Pts 4 Dale Arrowsmith
The first fight of the evening saw Dublin’s Darragh Brady make his professional debut against the experienced Englishman Dale Arrowsmith.
With former Irish champion and fan favourite Anthony Fitzgerald working his corner, Brady showed no nerves on his first night and was straight on the front foot. He started fast, kept the pace up throughout the four rounds and looked to be enjoying every minute of it.
Arrowsmith is rarely stopped, so it was no surprise to see the fight go the full distance, with Brady being awarded a 39-37 decision.
“It was a fantastic night and special moment for me and my family. I loved every minute of it,” Brady told Irish Boxing Digest. When asked what’s next, he continued: “I’m gonna sit down with the team and decide what’s next, possibly move down in weight and take another four-rounder.”
Head coach Fitzgerald was equally happy with Brady’s performance and complimentary towards both his opponent and promoter Jay Byrne.
“Jay ran a brilliant show, it’s great to see. Darragh done very well, I was very happy with the way he performed. He will learn a lot from that fight. Dale was very tough.”
Bout 2: Kian Hedderman Pts 4 Marcos Karalitzky
Next up was Limerick’s Kian Hedderman, who had stopped his previous three opponents. Opposing him was experienced Argentine Marcos Karalitzky, who had shared the ring with top operators Yamil Peralta, Tom Rafferty and Cheavon Clarke.
Hedderman brought a big crowd over from Limerick who were making plenty of noise, with Paddy Donovan and Jason Quigley also ringside.
Whether it was the occasion or simply taking his time to settle, Hedderman took a round to really get going. Once he did, however, he showed why he is considered one of the best prospects in the country.
Once he upped the pace, Karalitzky couldn’t live with him and it was no surprise when Hedderman was awarded the referee’s decision.
Bout 3: Sean Tyndall Pts 4 Jorge Balmaceda
Sean Tyndall returned to the ring looking to move to 4-0 against Peruvian Jorge Balmaceda, who came in with an 8-10-1 record and was brought in to test the Irish prospect.
Tyndall instead put on a boxing clinic. His timing, punch variety and movement were too much for the visitor and it was a very impressive performance from the young prospect.
Tyndall showed that he is more than ready to be stepped up to six rounds.
After the fight, he gave us his views on his performance:
“Yeah, it was a great show. I thought I put on a good performance, sticking to the game plan. For what’s next, it’s basically just to keep busy, keep getting fights.”
If Tyndall keeps up this trajectory, a Celtic title could be within his sights over the next six to nine months.
Bout 4: Marcus Sutherland Pts 6 Stefan Nicolae
In the ring next was Scottish featherweight Marcus Sutherland, who was returning for the first time since losing to Bayo Alabi.
He was looking to get back to winning ways against Romanian Stefan Nicolae, a frequent visitor to these shores.
What turned out to be an exciting fight saw Sutherland’s class show in the end, as he claimed a six-round decision that included a couple of heavy knockdowns.
Bout 5: Kevin Cronin Pts 6 Bahadur Karami
Here we saw the return of Irish Light-Heavyweight Champion Kevin Cronin. He was up against the very durable Iranian-Brit Bahadur Karami.
It was no surprise that the fight went the full six rounds, with Cronin really beginning to show his class as the contest progressed.
The Kingdom Warrior spoke to Irish Boxing Digest after the fight and gave us a comprehensive breakdown of his performance.
“Bahadur was a tough, tough cookie. No matter what you hit him with, he kept coming, which we expected, but there were some shots landed on him there that would have taken most out.
“I was happy with the performance and to be asked questions, not just blow someone away. Completely outboxed him behind the jab for three rounds. I knew at some stage it would end up in close quarters, but my hand ballooned at the end of round three and it took my lead hand away a good bit. It was extremely sore to jab, so in the fourth I sat in there to see what he’d give back on the inside.
“He was a rough fighter, so I had to be rough back. The fourth was probably the closest round because I was having a look, but I stayed inside for five and six, ramped it up a bit and I felt comfortable enough stepping around him, catching him with angles and slipping short shots in there. I let his replies pretty much all hit my guard, but all in all…”
Cronin continued:
“It was a solid workout. Six rounds felt too short for me, a bit rushed. I’m a championship-round fighter, but my early-round work is getting very good now, and I can make fights tough for lads mid-rounds before taking over again late.
“But Saturday night, six rounds from six on the cards, I’m very happy with that.”
Exciting times lie ahead for Cronin, who will be looking for more title fights in 2027.
Bout 6: John Boyd Pts 4 Jack Swallow
Next up was the return of the talented John Boyd after 15 months out of the ring.
He returned against Britain’s Jack Swallow, who was coming off a distance fight with Bobbi Flood in Croke Park.
After such a long period of inactivity, the Ulster man should be very happy with his performance. As each round went on, he became more impressive and, if he can build some momentum behind his career, Boyd looks to have the talent to compete with the very best in the country at his weight.
Bout 7: Karl Sheridan Pts 4 Jorge Huerta Balleza
Even though it was only a four-rounder, the Sheridan-Balleza rematch was one of the most intriguing fights on the night.
A lot of pressure was put on Sheridan’s shoulders before the fight and, if he felt it at all, he certainly didn’t show it in the ring.
Sheridan put on something of a masterclass for three rounds before going toe-to-toe in the final round. The result was never really in doubt and Sheridan can now look forward in his career rather than dwell on the blip in his second fight.
He told Irish Boxing Digest before the fight that he was going to “right a wrong” and he certainly did that.
There are some exciting nights ahead for the young prospect.
Bout 8: Hijjah McMahon Pts 6 Christian Lopez Flores
The night also brought the return of Celtic champion Hijjah McMahon.
From the outset, you could see the class of McMahon as he dominated behind a rangy jab. After hurting the Mexican early, Flores appeared content simply to survive to the final bell.
Speaking to Irish Boxing Digest after the fight, Hijjah gave us his views on his performance:
“In regards to the performance, initially I was a little bit tough on myself. I did box well, but I wanted that knockout and was left a bit frustrated because my opponent was very negative, especially after I caught him with some good counters. But overall, happy enough with the performance.”
On what’s next, he continued:
“I am going to rest. I did suffer an injury in the fight also, which is annoying, so need to see the exact damage of that and see what’s next from there. But the plan is Belfast end of November, depending on what the doctor says.”
Bout 9: Bayo Alabi Pts 8 Connor Kerr
Fight number nine saw a Dublin versus Belfast battle between Bayo Alabi and Connor Kerr.
The Belfast man never stopped trying, but it was Alabi’s class that told in the end. He hurt Kerr on a number of occasions and showed that he has the ability to push on and compete for major titles.
Speaking to us after the fight, the Tallaght man made it clear that he didn’t believe he had lost a round on the night.
“I promise you, that fella did not win one round against me. Even the round where I got a point taken off me, I boxed his ears off. That was actually one of the rounds I thought I won most clearly.
“It was an absolute boxing masterclass. And I’m not just saying that because I was the one in the ring. I went back and watched it, and Jay, my promoter, watched it back as well. He barely laid a glove on me.
“I’m already back in the gym. I came out of it with no injuries, no bruises, no niggles — nothing. I’m absolutely fine.”
Alabi has the ability to match his confidence, and 2027 promises to be an interesting year for the Tallaght man.
Bout 10: Edward Donovan Pts 6 Peter Carr
The co-main event saw the talented Edward Donovan take on the teak-tough Dubliner Peter Carr.
It was always going to be an exciting fight, but Donovan told us beforehand that his skills would be too much, and that is exactly how the fight played out.
Carr tried everything to turn the fight around, but the Limerick man kept his composure and boxed his way to a win that should see him move on to some big fights in the new year.
Donovan gave us his views after the fight:
“Well, the fight went exactly how I thought it would go. My boxing skills would be too much. I’m on a completely different level than him.
“That’s not to down Peter, he’s a good operator in his own right. What did surprise me was how dirty he was with his head. It was plain to be seen, he did it throughout the whole fight. I kept it clean, very professional, and I stuck to the game plan.”
On what’s next, Donovan told us he wants a rematch with Paul Ryan:
“Yes, I want to fight Paul again and correct the wrongs. We both bring a big crowd, but let’s hope it is for a big title, European title.”
Whether it is the rematch next or a fight for the Irish title, Edward Donovan showed that he is up there with the very best in the country.
Bout 11: Paul Loonam KO 6 Ruadhan Farrell
The main event for the vacant Irish Super-Bantamweight title lived up to all expectations.
It pitted the unbeaten Offaly man Paul Loonam against the very tough and experienced Ruadhan Farrell from Belfast. Farrell was looking to make history by becoming a two-time Irish Super-Bantamweight Champion and began the fight at a ferocious pace.
Loonam was trying to box off the back foot but couldn’t seem to match the aggression of El Nino.
As they went into round five, for the first time Loonam looked to be finding his rhythm and landed his best shot of the fight, but Farrell still looked to be the boss.
All that changed in round six.
Loonam landed the perfect left hook to the body that took everything out of Farrell and dropped him for the full ten count.
The celebrations in the ring showed exactly what it meant to Loonam and his family. The class and composure he showed under that pressure could take Loonam to another level and, with the Irish title now his, doors to bigger fights will begin to open.
For Farrell, it was a fight he was well in until he got caught. A break from the sport may do him good, but 2027 could bring more Irish title opportunities for the Belfast man.
Closing Thoughts
Judgement Day was a fitting showcase of the depth and talent currently running through Irish boxing. From debutants taking their first steps in the professional ranks to established fighters looking to move towards title opportunities, there was something for everyone across the 11-fight card.
For JB Promotions and Jay Byrne, it was a night that delivered from the opening bell right through to a dramatic finish. The National Stadium had a real buzz about it, and the fans were rewarded with plenty of competitive action, impressive performances and, ultimately, a new Irish champion.
Paul Loonam’s sixth-round knockout of Ruadhan Farrell will understandably be the moment that everyone remembers, but there were plenty of other performances on the night that deserve recognition.
With several of the fighters now looking towards bigger challenges in 2027, Judgement Day may well prove to have been another important night in the development of the next generation of Irish boxing talent.
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