Harley “Heavy Hands” Burke, Galway–born with concussive punching power, is the latest Irish prizefighter to sign with Star Boxing. The 7-0 super middleweight with six KOs, joins Dubliner Ryan O’Rourke in Joe DeGuardia’s stable.
Burke will make his Star Boxing debut in a six-rounder against Joseph Aguilar on March 4 at White Eagle Hall in Jersey City, New Jersey. Out of Portland, Oregon, Aguilar is 4-1-1 [2 KOs].
O’Rourke, a six-foot super lightweight with a 9-0 [2 KO] ledger, will also be on that “Jersey City fight night” card in a scheduled eight-rounder against an opponent to be announced.
"Signing with Star Boxing is a dream come true for me," said Burke, who’s 27 and stands a lofty 6-foot-one. “ In 2013 during my senior year of high school, I interned for Star Boxing. Ten years later I’m signing a multiyear deal with them. It all comes full circle.
“My main goal since turning professional four years ago was to sign with a prominent promoter. Joe DeGuardia’s track record speaks for itself. He’s built world champions. I’ve got the right man backing me, now it’s on me to go and perform. I want to bring big nights of boxing to NYC. I can’t wait.”
Said DeGuardia, Star Boxing's CEO: “You truly never know where talent will spring from. Harley was an intern for Star Boxing back in 2013, and I would have never guessed a decade later we would be signing him as an undefeated professional fighter. We are excited for what Harley brings to the ring and admire his accomplishments outside of the ring as well.
“We are confident that his talent and character will define his success as he continues to develop into bigger fights. It all starts for Harley on March 4 at White Eagle Hall, so be sure to get your tickets and come support.”
For tickets, visit www.whiteeaglehalljc.com or www.StarBoxing.com. White Eagle Hall is located at 337 Newark Ave., Jersey City, New Jersey, 07302.
HARDY HEADLINER
Former world champion Heather “The Heat” Hardy tackles one-time Brazilian champion Taynna Cardoso in an eight-round super featherweight bout in the main event at Sony Hall, in Times Square, mid-town Manhattan, on Feb. 23. The Irish-American out of Brooklyn has dedicated the fight to her recently departed legendary trainer Hector Roca who died on Jan. 3 at age 82.
“[I’m] very grateful to DiBella Entertainment and Boxing Insider for going out of their way to ensure me a slot on this show that will be honoring my late trainer, mentor, and papa, Hector Roca,” said Hardy. “The day before he died, we sat in his hospital room, me on the corner of the bed. He put his hand over mine and said ‘baby, they all think you past your prime, but you didn’t hit it yet. This is going to be your year’. I’m ready and excited to start 2023 off right, here in front of all my NYC fans for papa.”
In Cardoso, Hardy faces a relatively inexperienced foe out of Jundiai, Sao Paulo. Cardoso has only had six fights since turning pro in 2017, and won the Brazilian featherweight title in just her second fight. She’s 5-1 with one win by knockout.
Hardy [23-2, 4 KOs], the erstwhile World Boxing Organization featherweight champion, will bring "The Heat" once again after headlining Boxing Insider’s promotional debut on Oct. 13 last year.
A graduate of John Jay College, she began boxing in the gym at age 24 and made her professional debut in 2012 at 28. In 2014 she won the vacant WBC International super bantamweight title and in 2016 won the WBC International featherweight title. On
On Oct. 27, 2018, Hardy became world champion, winning the WBO featherweight title with a unanimous decision win over Shelly Vincent at Madison Square Garden.
She lost the title the following September in a unified title fight to WBC World Champion Amanda Serrano in a clash of women boxing stars. Most recently, Hardy won a unanimous decision against Calista Silgado on Oct. 22.
Tickets, starting at $85 for general admission, are available from www.ticketmaster.com. Search under Boxing Insider Fight Night.
