The pair, who fought a classic in Dublin last September, will be in action in New York on St Paddy’s Day weekend
Kevin Cronin, right, will be in action against Emmett Brennan, left, in New York on St Patrick’s weekend Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
It’s on. The re-match everybody wants to see has been given the green light.
Kerry fighter Kevin Cronin will get a second bite of the cherry, in the Big Apple of all places, when he faces off for the second time within a year against Dubliner Emmet Brennan.
The duo fought out an epic contest in Dublin at the 3Arena last September with the fight being broadcast on UFC-Fightpass and drawing attention from UFC supremo Dana White.
It was, of course, something of a controversial bout with former Olympian Brennan adjudged the winner on a split decision, much to Cronin’s chagrin and to that of the crowd who booed the decision.
The controversy – which White commented upon extensively at the time – only seems to have whet the appetite for a re-match between the pair and, after months of negotiation, it was confirmed on Thursday evening that the fight will be going ahead at the famed Madison Square Garden on St Patrick’s weekend (March 16).
Cronin and Brennan’s showdown is being billed as the co-main event and will again be broadcast live on UFC-Fightpass. This time over ten rounds. No question, about it this is a plum reward for both fighters.
What’s more it’s easily the biggest fight of Milltown man Cronin’s career to date. A massive opportunity to strut his stuff on the biggest of all boxing stages and to gain revenge over Brennan for September’s defeat.
While yet not confirmed, it seems likely that the BUI Celtic Middleweight title will again be on the line.
“Picture it, The Kerry flag being raised on the biggest stage of all!! And I’ll say it again, I’m just getting started!!” the Michael Conlan-managed boxer wrote on his social media on Thursday night.
