GALWAY boxer Kieran Molloy has been left “devastated” after his hometown card was cancelled at short notice.
Molloy had been due to challenge for a European title against Kaisee Benjamin at Pearse Stadium on June 28.
On June 9, however, it was announced by his promotion GBM Sports that the event had been moved from Galway to Hull, England.
GBM Sports cited “circumstances beyond our control” behind that decision.
Molloy felt blindsided on Wednesday evening as he issued a statement informing followers that the plug had been pulled on his fight altogether.
He wrote: “I’m devastated to share that my upcoming European title fight at Pearse Stadium has been cancelled.
“The decision was made by the promoter, GBM Sports, and came as a complete shock to me and my team.”
The 26-year-old went on to announce his split from GBM Sports as a result.
The 11-0 fighter emphasized that he’d only received his allocation of tickets to shift on June 3.
But he added that in spite of this limited time span with which to work, he was able to sell 2,100 of his 2,500 he received prior to the switch to Hull being revealed.
Molloy also vowed that ticket refunds will be “organized and processed as soon as possible.”
Towards the end of his lengthy statement he shared the extent of his disappointment at how these past few roller coaster days have left him disheartened but not permanently discouraged.
He finished: “This was more than just a fight for me – it was a dream come true to headline a major event in my home country, in front of the people who’ve backed me from the very start.
“This is a tough one to take, but we’ll bounce back.
“Better nights are ahead and I promise we’ll bring something special to Galway one day in the future when the time is right.”
The GBM Sports card will go ahead on its original date in Hull.
The bout for the vacant European light heavyweight title that was due to be contested between Molloy and Benjamin will now instead feature Shaken Pitters and Bradley Rea.
On Wednesday GBM Sports issued an updated poster for the event featured those two in place of the original pairing of Molloy and Benjamin.
It will still be available to stream via DAZN.
