IRISH LIGHTWEIGHT BOXER Stephen Ormond can put himself directly in line to challenge for the IBF lightweight belt when he fights in Las Vegas next month.
The 33-year old will fight in a world title eliminator on 5 August although his opponent yet to be named.
The Irishman has carded four straight wins since he was disqualified against present WBO champion Terry Flanagan for overuse of the head, most recently beating Dominican Republic fighter Marcos Jimenez in March.
The Rock, along with trainer Packie Collins — brother of former world champion Steve — has been in full training mode over the last number of weeks as he readies himself for his first Vegas showdown.
Ormond boasts of record of 21-2 and is one of a number of Irish fighters with ambitions of becoming world champion in the coming months.
Recently, he has been sparring with Patrick ‘Pajo’ Hyland as the featherweight prepares for his world title fight on 30 July against Josh Warrington.
Belfast-born boxer Carl Frampton will also fight Leo Santa Cruz for the WBA (Super) featherweight title later the same night, while Ryan Burnett has been promised an opportunity to fight for a world title early in the new year.
Ormond is already a WBO European title holder but the August bout could quite possibly be the veteran’s last opportunity to make a significant impact on the world stage.
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