Connor “The Kid” Coyle is back in Florida training for his North American Boxing Association [NABA] professional middleweight title match with Antonio Todd on May 21 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando. Head trainer Jim McLaughlin is running the undefeated Derryman’s camp.
The 31-year-old Coyle has been splitting time between Northern Ireland and Florida, while fighting out of St. Petersburg in the “Sunshine State.” He’s coming off a fifth round stoppage of hitherto once-beaten Rodrigo Rodrigues in Massachusetts last February, a result that upped his record to a perfect 15-0 with seven KOs.
In Todd, Coyle faces a 13-5 opponent out of Atlanta, Georgia, who’s gone 6-1-1 in the last 18 months. Seven of Todd’s 13 wins have been by knockout. The American, who’s 27, earned his biggest win to date on January 22. That’s when he scored a ten round majority decision over longtime contender Hugo Centeno, Jr.
“Todd is very tough but this is the kind of fight I need,” said Coyle. “He’s much better than his record suggests and a few of his losses were close fights against top opponents. I’m happy to be back in Florida and know this is going to be a tough camp because I’ve got to be at my best to take home the NABA title on May 21.”
Coyle’s promoter, Jody Caliguire of Fire Fist Boxing, sees a win over Todd leading to much larger opportunities.
“Antonio Todd is no pushover and Connor has to be at his best if he wants to win impressively. This fight is on a great platform on Bally Sports Network and for the NABA title. If everything goes as planned, Connor will be rated as one of the top 15 middleweights in the world and the opportunities are limitless!”
Coyle-Todd will air on Bally Sports Network, the Bally App and Display TV. as part of the Bally Sports Entrobox Series at 9 p.m.
Tickets from $45 are on sale at Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the opening bell is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Fans can contact Coyle on Instagram @Connor_the_kid_coyle. For more information on Fire Fist Boxing Promotions, visit Firefistboxing.net.
SUPER-FIGHT
Additional tickets for the historic clash between Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano on April 30 went on sale last week on ticketmaster.com because of the huge demand for what will be the first female fight to headline at the Madison Square Garden in its 140-year history. The scheduled 10-rounder will also be broadcast live worldwide on DAZN.
Taylor and Serrano clash for the undisputed lightweight championship. Bray native Taylor [20-0, 6 KOs] puts her 135lb title on the line for the sixth time in the Big Apple, and does so against Puerto Rican-born seven-weight champion Serrano [42-1-1 30 KOs], a Brooklyn native.
“This is going to be an unforgettable night in New York,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “History will be made when Taylor and Serrano step through the ropes and we’re on course for a full arena to witness history.
“The undercard is stacked with 50-50 battles and rising stars; this is a night not to be missed and I’m delighted that we’re going to have a full arena for this momentous occasion.”
