Kieran Molloy: It’s very special! I’m buzzing, it’s been a dream venue for me since i was a kid!
Interview 971: Kieran Molloy
In association with @Thatprizeguy
Kieran Molloy, the unbeaten Irish welterweight prospect, is set to headline a significant homecoming boxing event at Galway’s Pearse Stadium on Saturday, June 28, 2025. This event marks a pivotal moment in Molloy’s professional career, as he competes for the WBA European welterweight title against Kaisee Benjamin, a seasoned British contender with a record of 18–4–1
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[Applause] Hey, [Applause] hey, hey. [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] This is Boxing Tickets Ni in association with that prize guy. I am delighted to be joined for the first time in 2025 with Kieran Mallaloy. You’re you’re probably the happiest man in the world right now. Obviously, your Pier Stadium’s obviously been announced. You’re obviously your headline in Gway 28th of June. Um, you probably known about this sort of been in the pipeline for a while, but how are you feeling now? You know, you’re headlining a card in Pierce Stadium. Yeah, I’m delighted. I’m buzzing with it now. Uh, I’ve been asking for another fighting go away for a long time now. So, uh, to see this materialize is is brilliant and especially in a a dream venue of mine since I was a kid. So, yeah, it’s class, you know, especially in training camp now to have lots to look forward to and first title fight as well in front of my home people. It’s uh it’s very special. Are are you sort of having to pinch yourself cuz like we’ve spoken this before when you sort of you have your dream of of Pier Stadium and you’re sort of going like you might need to get to a world title fight and things like that. They fight there. Like is it does it still feel really real to you? Obviously that was probably one of the the reasons you signed with GPM GBM as they say. Well look if I’m signing I want to fight in Gway as well. Like you still pinch yourself to go in six weeks time that’ll all be over pretty much. Yeah, it’s it’s class of joy. It all goes down to I suppose um the support I received off people go uh they’ve always supported me and you know when promoters see the fan base that I have I think that excites them as well. So, I’ve always wanted to build something big in um the west of Ireland. You know, it’s the first ever outdoor uh stadium fight and just even to see like you know the the undercard fighters get an opportunity uh some great talent on the card but uh for the next generations of of boxers coming up through goi as well. you know, there there was no such thing like this when I was a kid growing up to go in and watch, you know, a a fight night in Pier Stadium. It’s um we’ve come a long way in the West of Ireland and, you know, I I I just want to be the person to build that now and get the local fighters involved and um just show the kids, I suppose, you know, they they can definitely have dreams like I did and top the bill in Pier Stadium someday. like it’s, you know, it’s like you’re only pro, you know, obviously just over three years passed and obviously you made your professional debut. Do you think that these things can happen so quickly? But like in the south of Ireland particular, you’re probably I don’t know like I can’t think of anybody else that would sell the volume of tickets that you would like. Obviously in the south of Ireland’s different to what it is up here where with quite a lot of people that sell really good tickets like you’re a really big ticket seller and and as a as a byproduct of that that’s what obviously is getting you these big opportunities because you have such a big fan base. Yeah, I believe so. I’m very grateful. Uh very lucky to have them. You know it’s uh it’s very important to have like you said if you can sell tickets it’s very important to the promoter. It’s good business for them, but um it really skyrockets you up as well because you know there’s there’s more publicity around that fighter. Um yeah, it just makes me very proud to bring it back to go though. It’s uh you know, I love where I’m from. I love all the people around go. They all get behind their own in every sport. It doesn’t matter what you play. It’s a very uh tight-knit uh county and all of the communities around me as well in Oakard and Kana and Kamara uh they’ve always supported their own whatever sport it is and whatever they’re doing. So it’s um yeah it’s brilliant. I’m very very happy to be able to bring it back to their doorstep now and um I plan on bringing big fight nights to go you know going forward. This just going to be the start of it in the stadium and uh you know working up towards that world title fight. Is it good for you in some ways where you’ve you’ve had that experience obviously as a pro of fighting obviously in leisure land obviously well at 2023 pretty much it’ll be just I think it maybe two less than two years from from you fought there so like is it good for you in some ways because obviously the nerves and things like that sometimes it comes like you fought in front of your own people as a pro well obviously how will them nerves feel walking out in Pierce Stadium like you’ve adjusted to it before you know what it’s like is that a good it’s a good thing for you yeah I think so It’s very important as especially young professional fighter. You know, I fought in in front of a couple thousand and go. It was, you know, there was feelings there that I never had before. You know, expectations, pressure. Um, it’s funny boxing like there’s been a couple of fights where I fought in front of a couple hundred and other fights where I fought in front of 10,000 at the SSSE Arena and then brought it back to Go again and for a smaller venue. But the atmosphere felt just as good because it was tight. Um, so I I’ve experienced a lot now as a professional, you know, and um I I really feel like I thrive under it now. You know, the the pressure is sort of a privilege to me. So, everyone’s there to to watch me. They they’ve paid their hard-earned money. It’s up for me to go out and entertain them and make sure that it was worth coming. I remember obviously when I interviewed you obviously after your fight in SSA Arena and you were sort of saying you know you loved that atmosphere but you couldn’t wait to feel that atmosphere and and obviously in Gway and Pierce Stadium in particular like I know the card still sort of were quite a few announcements sort of today but like what a card like they think you’re having Joe Ward you’re under card Gabriel Dawson under card like obviously it it seems to be that you know 95% of this card is going to be full of Irish fighters and it’s and it’s all the next generation of fighters coming through like It’s a massive privilege for you to be able to headline all these amazing fighters. Yeah, it’s brilliant. Like a good few lads there who I would have been on the national team with before when I broke into the senior team. You had the likes of Joe Ward there and Shawn Mcome. Um some serious talent there from Ireland and um yeah, it’s just brilliant. Like it’s I think this what Irish boxing needs now. Um it’s something new. It’s it’s in like I said before the first ever outdoor show in the west of Ireland. It’s um it’s huge and to see them get the opportunity as well is brilliant and it’ll really boost them on in their careers as well. I’m sure you’re looking forward to seeing billboard and stuff like that on obviously billboards around Gway with Kieran Malloy’s face on it like you’ll be going what’s going on here who’s up to us but like these this is the start of of even bigger nights to come for you. Yeah, I believe so. Um, you know, I’ve I’ve been working very hard for for these opportunities. You know, I knew it wasn’t going to be handed to me. Um, that was drilled into me since a kid, like, you know, if I wanted something, I had to work hard. I have very supportive parents, but they always let me know I had to work extremely hard for these uh for these nights. And yeah, I’m just uh just very grateful that all the hard work and and sacrifices and dedication to the sport is is paying off. Um, but I’m in this sport to become a world champion and a a great world champion at that. Um, so yeah, this is just one step on the road, but um, it’s a very exciting one and it’s a it’s a night I’ll cherish. How’s ticket sales going so far? Obviously, I know your dad does all the tickets for you. Obviously, when you’re in camp, like I’m I’m I wouldn’t be surprised if your dad’s knocking every door in Gway going, “How many do you want?” It’s not like you’re not going at the old cold calling sort of thing, knocking people’s doors and going, “My son’s fighting at Pierce Stadium the 28th of June. How many tickets do you want? Do you know how it’s going so far for you?” Yeah, it’s going very well. Yeah. Um you know, my my dad and my cousin Marissa as well, they’re they’re brilliant. They uh they’ve got a real old school way about it. It is like doortodoor like you know on taking names and uh text messages and everything. It’s brilliant. Um, so they they take all that and then so I can fully focus on on um the training side of things. So I’m very lucky to have that. But um there’s big interest in it. Um great response from the pre-orders as well. And um the Gway GA, they’re they’re all getting involved and reaching out to um to all the local GA clubs as well. So you know, hopefully we can we can get some serious numbers in there. But um yeah, it’s very exciting. Um like I said, I’ve I’ve just been over here training full-time twice a day. So um I speak to my dad every every few days as well, but um he’s excited for it all. He he loves the hustle part of it and uh yeah, he’s uh he’s he’s really looking forward to it. What what sort of what he’s anticipating sort of numbers wise? Like you know, obviously I guess we’re five or six weeks out and they’re selling well. What do you sort of anticipate sort of attends to be on the night? I’m not too sure to be honest with you. Like uh there see the beauty about it is there’s no real cap on it because you can keep on you know it’s it’s a massive stadium but uh we’re we’re going to pull sort of the ring kind of close to the main stand and the main stand holds I think 7 and a half thousand and then we’re going to have uh ringside seats around the floor area as well. So, um, yeah, look, it’s just, uh, uh, I don’t know exact numbers, but, um, all I know is I know there’s going to be a lot of noise that night. How many times have you been in Pier Stadium and started going, I’m going to fight here one day and like people were probably going to you wise up here and you know what are you, you know, that saying people go, what are you smoking sort of thing like how many times have you stood in Pier Stadium and went, I’m going to fight here someday to now actually become a reality. uh a a few times. But you know the truth is like honestly the my friend group and the people I have around me if I said that to them they they would believe me and they would back me to do it. I’m very lucky with the u with the people we have back home stuff like that they wouldn’t laugh at me for it they would get behind and make sure if there was any way that they could help they would. And it’s because of all of them, Joe, that’s why I do believe myself cuz, you know, the Upstar Boxing Club, that’s where I started. You know, it’s a it’s very important to have big dreams like that. And, you know, to anyone who laughs you off, just just uh you know, show them show them that you can. So, no, I I’ve been very lucky with people I have around me. I’ve got a fantastic team here as well. Uh training with Charlie be in the new era boxing gym in Harlem Eubank and um Kurt Walker. He’s gone home now for a bit. So the the apartment is kind of quiet but uh no very lucky with the group of people I have. I I just going to touch on obviously the you know the newer working thing obviously with Charlie obviously that you’ve two fights now under the sort of first one in December was sort of getting the guest adjusted sort of keeping this the the res on you sort of and then last time out was it just like we’ll do a few rounds and then we’ll we’ll go and take them out. Is that the sort of plan? Yeah, the the first fight I suppose we were only working with each other kind of newly. So, um, you know, I wanted to get back to my to my boxing, keep my distance, get get behind the jab again, and the the second fight, yeah, was, um, break him down and then, uh, you know, we’ll go for the knockout. So, that’s we we train for knockout. So, um, you know, if you get the opportunity, it’s, uh, you go guns blazing. I’m sure obviously after not having a, you know, your last stoppage obviously prior to that, obviously, uh, October 2023. So when you sort of went over a year without a stoppage, you’re sort of going to yourself, has my power left me already? I’m still young here, but has my power leaving me sort of thing. You know, you had them sort of challenges obviously being dropped and things like that for the first time, but is a relief for you sort of in some ways to know that you went in there and you stop someone again. You’re going the power hasn’t left me yet. Uh yeah, it was never a worry to be honest. Um but like at the end of the day, you know, I got three eight rounders there as well. got valuable rounds. Um, learned a lot from each of those fights, even though, you know, some of them weren’t uh the nicest fights to watch or anything, but still went in and got the job done. Uh, my last fight was actually the first time wearing 8 oz gloves as well, so I could really feel the difference there. Um, yeah, I I much prefer it as well. Smaller gloves, more dangerous. Could you feel it your side or obviously you’re feeling it the other side? Obviously, you know, you know, the punch is way obviously saying when someone’s punching you, like they’re only good if if you can do the damage more if someone at you going, “Craigy, what are we doing wearing these gloves?” Yeah, it’s Well, it is both ways. You know, you have to be careful. And lucky enough, my defense has got a lot better. But um it’s just when I was landing punches, I could see it. You know, he uh he had to go to hospital the next day cuz he’s his jaw was smashed. Like, so it’s only a small punch that that’ll do serious damage with in this game. So, you know, your defense definitely has to be on point, but there’s uh yeah, there’s nothing in those gloves. They’re very, very small. The one thing that’s probably missing obviously in your pro career so far is being a belt. Like that that obviously had to be non-negotiable obviously in coming home was I need to be fighting for my first pro title. Yeah, you know, it’s uh like I said before, I had over 220 amateur fights and 11 pro fights and I’ve never once had a belt. So, you know, it’s uh it’s about time I I get that one wrapped around my shoulder. So, you know, what better place to do it than a than homecoming to Pier Stadium and go away. It’s uh you know, stuff of dreams. Yes. Well, will you now then feel like feel like you are a a sort of pro because you have a belt like obviously I think did did Kurt win the same belt as well? Am I correct in saying that? So, he’s both like they both the same belt. Yeah. Yeah. So, uh, yeah. So, I look, I’ve always felt like a pro anyways, but so, uh, a belt. Yeah, I’ve always wanted a belt now for the past like over a year probably. So, it’s, uh, it’s great to get the opportunity to fight for it now. Casey Benjamin obviously is no stranger to sort of, you know, Irish boxing fans. Obviously, he fought Shawn Mcome obviously in a Sky Sports card. Obviously, it’s super lightweight. He’s now moving up to Walter. What do you know of KSC? obviously as a fighter like have you watched much of him previously? Like what do you know of Casey Benjamin? I actually um when Shawn Mcome fought him, I actually wasn’t living too far away from there at the time. So I drove down to sport. Um yeah, Sean fought very well that night. I know Casey, he you know, he he keeps on coming towards the the end. Um he’s very aggressive. uh throws decent punches like so, you know, it’s going to be a good test. Definitely a step up and uh I believe he’ll bring the best out in me. When you I guess when you watch that, obviously you’re you’re a different fighter to Shawn, but like when I guess when you were watching that fight, you would never have probably looked at Casey Benjamin, you know, as a as an opponent because he’s a different weight class. Like it’s strange how this boxing game works out. You’re sort of watching the fight and the next thing you’re going, well, I’m fighting this guy. Yeah. No, it is funny. Like even sometimes you could be on like watching undercards on the zone or sky and all of a sudden you’re fighting that lad about 3 weeks later you know late replacement or something. So you just never know with boxing. It’s uh it’s funny. We had a couple of other sort of pull outs as well before the management fight. So it’s just good that we have one pencled in now. But I’m guessing like was the original plan for you obviously because I’m I’m sure you wanted to win an Irish title. Obviously, we know that Sennon had that off had that building. I think he’s he’s moving down. Was was his initial plan to fight for an Irish title and it just didn’t work out? Uh yeah, we offered um we offered Senn uh the fight. Um he refused to take it. I think they offered Dylan Morin and Lee Reeves a fight as well maybe, but uh none of them really wanted to take it to be fair. So, um Joe, we wanted to fight for the silo, but um it just wasn’t an option. None of the lads would fight. So, we uh this is a much better belt anyways, like as as in terms of uh rankings and stuff. Um so, yeah, I’m happy that we’ve got this and uh a good solid fighter as well. is that that sort of I guess is a a compliment sort of in some ways when when people won’t fight you and it’s not to sort of disgrace them sort of for that but people see the talent that you are Kieran and going I don’t want to fight this guy like or is it annoying for you in the fact you’re going I want to have a domestic fight as a pro. Yeah. No, I I don’t mind it. I can completely understand it. But you know when guys are going on social media saying they want paydays and big fights and stuff and then when it’s offered to them they don’t take it. you know, it’s up to themselves obviously, but um you know, it’s a very hard sport to to make money and get involved in big fights if you don’t take a take a risk. So, um look, all the best to those lads. You know, they’re they’re good fighters and they’re nice lads and all, but um you know, if you if you want to make money and win belts, you got to take a risk. Definitely, very much so. Like I’m not sure obviously how this WBA belt works cuz I know when Kurt won he didn’t get world ranked um because the WBA probably so many belts sort in the division but like plan obviously to beat Casey Benjamin and then obviously get into that top 15 the WBA before the end of the year. Is that is that where you’re sort of now looking at going the road map towards the WBA world title or is there still organ or organizations the way the boxing monopoly is sometimes you can WBA about one fight and then IBF European the next fight. Yeah, it could be. It’s it’s hard to know like all I’m doing is focusing on this fight, but I think with the WBA European belts at least I’ll get a high rank in the EBU. Um so that’s the road I’d probably like to go down as well. Um, and yeah, we just pick up as many BS as we can throughout the year. Um, I don’t I don’t mind what organizations I’m ranked in as as long as I’m I’m ranked in a few of them. And uh, whatever belts world title we get to fight for, you know, it’ll be a it’ll be a special a special night. So, you know, I’m just going to keep on working, stay active, you know, that’s the main thing for me. And uh, work our way up and do it properly. You’ve sort of been like a silent man in the 147 division. Obviously in Ireland all the talks being obviously in Patty and Lewis like this is your opportunity now headlining in Gway live all around the world in the zone for you to put your hand up and go. My name is Kier Malloy. I’m an Irish welterweight and I’m still in that mix. Yeah, for sure. Look, those those lads deserve to get all of the credit they have. You know, they they’ve both uh had a very good few years there. I know I turned professional a bit, you know, a few years after them. So, um, I was just staying in my own lane. But, uh, yeah, by the end of this year, everyone know who the the best welterweight in Norland is. Like you’ve, you know, by the time fight night comes around, you’ll have five fights in 14 months obviously since signing with GBM. So you’re sort of going through a really good period of activity for yourself sort of you know I guess that you know whenever the the GBM sort of deal come about and you’re sort of going you know people sort of maybe didn’t know know who GBM sort of were at the time but the one thing at GBM are doing for you are keeping you active keeping you busy and they’ve delivered for you and your promise of getting you your go away homecoming. Yeah, they have to be fair. Look, the that was it when when I was with Top Rank. I just wasn’t getting enough fights. So, um it was very important for me to get a contract where he could get out uh five times. You know, it’s it’s brilliant in the space of what 14 months. So, activity is very um it’s essential especially early on in your career. You know, I’ve come up against complete different styles in my fights over the last like year now. So, it’s all just experience and John on the the big fight nights, you know, this is where it all plays part. Is that is that the plan for you sort of now moving forward like you’re going to have a at least one summer show in Gway every year? Like you want to keep going until you you fill Pier Stadium completely? Yeah, for sure. Yeah, absolutely. It’s um it’s exciting, you know. It’s I plan on on fighting there once, maybe even twice a year like so. It’ll be really good, you know, especially, you know, once with this one all goes smoothly. Fingers crossed, you know, and everyone enjoys their night. I think it could uh become a real hub for uh Irish boxing. The last obviously outdoor show in Ireland, I think if I’m right and thinking I hope I haven’t missed one out, was Frampton in 2018 and from about 700 p.m. in the evening, all that done was rain. Like I think nearly got the end of the night that people needed boats. Like what’s the weather looking like on the 28th of June in Gway? with no chance of rain on that day. Have we? I’m not too sure to be honest. God knows uh you know the weather, but uh it’s usually nice down at Salt Hill in the summertime. So, um yeah, fingers crossed we’ll we’ll get a nice uh summer’s evening, but uh I’m sure there’ll be a canopy up over the ring just in case. Well, I guess the water’s not too far away normally anyway, so we’ll not have to go too far to get into our boats. Yeah, sure. No, it’s a lovely place to be fair. It is. Obviously, I was down there for obviously your your your last last show and and obviously I think I’ve actually been down twice. I can’t remember. I can’t remember. I’ve been down once or I’ve been down twice. Oh, Thomas fought there as well. Who? Yeah, that’s right. I haven’t been down twice. Thomas fought there as well. He was obviously disappointed. You know, I guess his fights before yours. Obviously, he’s fighting in Fenway Park. The first fight in Fenway Park since think 1954. But, you know, I think I I think I’d said to him in an interview we’ve done previously, like you and him obviously both on the same card, like you want to have as many fighters from Gway as possible because it could be the one and only chance. You know, we know how boxing sometimes works. Um, you want as many Gway fighters on the card as possible because that that gives everybody an opportunity in Gway to come to these cards. Yeah, it does for sure. And you know, it’s uh no, we’ve got some very good fighters as well for for a small county really, I suppose, in boxing. So, yeah, it’s uh it’s a lot of talent coming through and you can even see it in uh in the local boxing gyms, you know, kids coming through, they’re they’re developing nicely. So, you know, like I said at the start, once they have um they’ll have their eyes on this, they’ll be coming in, they’ll be getting excited and seeing the crowds and the cheers and the booze and the winning, the losing, you know, it’s all excitement and it gives them a, you know, it plants a seed in them, I think, in their head and they they’ll be going home that night thinking, geez, I’d love to do that someday. So, you know, that’s all these kids need is somebody to show them that it can be done. And uh you know it’s exciting. God knows how many world champions go could produce over the next 20 or 30 years. Is that a big thing for you obviously in being that role model being that superstar and go away for the next generation coming through where you know you can’t sort of go to the shop to buy a newspaper without someone stopping you and annoying you. Well not annoying you in some ways because obviously you’ll always speak to everybody but is that is that a big thing for you and being the role model for this next generation? Uh, it’s just like just so they know they can, you know, if they work hard, they can do it. I suppose because, you know, we’re very lucky where we’re from around their yard. Like like you said, if you go in, if I go up town to grab some of the shops, I’ll be stuck up there for an hour talking to everyone. It’s brilliant. Like, you know, everyone everyone loves it. So, um, yeah, the just full of good kids down there as well around the schools and all. So, uh, be good. The the boxing club as well is getting really good numbers in our local gym. So, um, yeah, it’s nice when you go in and they all look up to you and ask you questions and stuff. So, you know, I had that with a couple of older fighters when I was a kid. So, I always remember how much it meant to me when they spoke to me and stuff like that and when they’d come down and show off their medals and their trophies and you be thinking to yourself, “Oh, he must be class like.” So, it’s uh, yeah, it’s it’s a a really nice feeling that they’ll they’ll be able to come now and see it for real. One last thing before we go. We still haven’t sorted a nickname for you, have we? No, not yet. I’m gonna ask a few few of the guys. I’m going to ask Kurt and things like that what names they call you because you have to have a nickname out there somewhere. Kieran, you can’t headline in Pier Stadium without a nickname. I don’t know honestly. You’ll have to come up with something. We have to. If anybody has any ideas, obviously let us know in the comments obviously section what what you think Kier Malloy’s nickname should be. I don’t think it’s right that you can headline in Pier Stadium without a nickname. So, we’re gonna have to come up with some name for you in some way. Yeah, keep it PG though as well. Make sure to put that in there. Yeah, keep it PG because it could be kids watching. But, I don’t know. Obviously, you know, your dreams of obviously are being the superstar and world champs and everything else like that. So, maybe Kieran the superstar Malloy. I don’t know if that’s going to ring to it. But, no, it’s not even that. It’s not that I want to be famous and a big superstar. purchase. I want to become a world champion and make a load of money. Definitely be nice. But look, Kieran, obviously, thanks as always for your time. Obviously, it’s great to finally get a catch up in 2025. It’s it’s been a while. You’ve had two fights since then. Um, obviously enjoy the next couple of weeks of camp as we know it will. It probably be the easiest camp for you because it’s it’s obviously it’s getting you a step closer to your dreams and everything else like that, but enjoy your next couple of weeks in camp and we’ll see you in fight week and go away. Yeah, brilliant. It’s great to see you back as well. Definitely. Cheers. Take care. Thanks. Bye. Bye. Bye.
