Big time boxing is arriving under the dome at the East Cessnock Bowling Club when local fighter Troy O'Meley defends his NSW title on a huge card on May 18.
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O'Meley's eight-round NSW Junior Middleweight title defence against the highly credentialled Isaac Buckley is the main event with support fights including bouts for the vacant Australian Middleweight and Super Light Weight titles.
Cessnock-based O'Meley is undefeated in his eight professional fights to date and had a unanimous points decision win against Luke Travers in his first title defence in March after taking the vacant NSW title in July last year in Newcastle against Ray Ingram.
Fight promoter Rob Fogarty, from Steel City Boxing, said there was huge interest building in the O'Meley and Buckely fight with at least one big bet placed already on Buckley.
"Two Aussie titles and a state title, I don't think it's ever been done in Cessnock before. It's certainly going to be a big night," Fogarty said of the event which is expected to attract 600 to 800 fight fans to the special arena under the dome.
Tickets are expected to sell fast with Sydney fighters Blake Travers and Josh Jenkins fighting for the vacant Australian Middleweight title and Dylan Emery and Victor Odindo contesting the Australian Super Light Weight title.
Fogarty said O'Meley was in great condition going into the fight.
"He trains out of our gym three days a week. He is going really good, he is sparring very well and ready to go," Fogarty said.
"Having said that so is the other guy. I speak to his manager quite often and they're extremely confident.
"This guy is massive compared to Troy. His is dropping seven kilograms to try and win Troy's title.
"There is going to be a very big size difference in the ring. He has a height and reach advantage, but his upper-torso is massive.
"His last fight was at middleweight so he has had one fight at middleweight and now he'll have to drop another 2.5kg to 3kg to make junior middleweight.
"I know there is talk of a pretty sizable bet on the main bout.
"On paper it is a flip of the coin. I think whoever turns up the night wins the fight.
"You couldn't favour either fighter with any confidence, it is so evenly matched."
Fogarty said the middleweight title was expected to be equally as hotly contested.
"Nothing separates Blake Travers and Josh Jenkins who will be contesting the middleweight title. There's some very good fights on the night that's for sure."
The card will also feature amateur fighters including O'Meley's brother Kane and Maitland's Willem Clarke, as well amateur female boxers Rachel Maris, Jess Leask and Laysha Davies. Tickets are on sale at the club.