O’Leary vs Foley Predictions: It all starts with a ‘Big Bang’

Unbeaten prospect Pierce O’Leary takes on Darragh Foley this Friday, June 28, in an all-Irish super-lightweight battle. TNT Sports 1 will screen the bout, which takes place at the SSE Arena in Belfast. The WBC international title will be on the line, a belt the governing body takes into account when ranking fighters.

That very belt has done wonders for O’Leary so far. Its value as a title in its own right is questionable to say the least in this overly-honoured era. But holding the strap has put the 24-year-old at 15th in the WBC standings. 

O’Leary’s clash with Foley will be his fourth defence of a title that has afforded him some invaluable opportunities. ‘Big Bang’ took a wide unanimous decision from the rising Kane Gardner last September. In his next bout, O’Leary knocked out unbeaten Belgian Hovhannes Martirosyan in nine rounds. As the competition has gotten stronger, O’Leary has improved to meet the challenge. 

Foley knows all about challenges. In his last fight he went the distance with Jack Catterall, considered the best super lightweight in the country and one of the best in the world. ‘Super’ Darragh had to climb off the deck twice in that one, with the levels beginning to show late on. But it takes no shortage of bravery to last that long against a genuinely world-class fighter.

Splitting his time between fighting in the UK, Ireland and his country of residence in Australia, Foley had been unbeaten since 2019 before facing Catterall. IBO and IBF regional trinkets have been collected along the way as the Irishman looked to climb the ranks. Overcoming Catterall was a bridge too far, But Foley gets an opportunity to climb onto the world stage here. 

It is a tough ask. O’Leary is not a knockout artist per se, but does carry enough power to make ‘Big Bang’ a fair choice of nickname. Even in some of his decision wins he has hurt his opponents. O’Leary had Emmanuel Mungandjela on the canvas twice on the way to a points win. A first-round TKO of Alin Florin Ciorceri is evidence that once the 24-year-old gets you where he wants you, he does not let up.

Fifty percent of Foley’s wins have come by knockout, so it is more likely he’ll try and box his way out of trouble here. Not an easy feat when O’Leary can uncork devastating blows when he’s in the mood. Catterall is not really a power-puncher by trade, and Foley still hit the deck on two occasions. The underdog could have to rally from some knockdowns here to get anything out of this contest.

O’Leary vs Foley Fight Odds

O’Leary is way out in front at odds of 1/12 here, implying a 92.3% probability of victory. You can back Foley at 6/1 or 14.3% as a percentage. If you fancy the draw, it is 20/1 for a 4.8% shot.

O’Leary vs Foley Full Card

Pierce O'Leary vs. Darragh Foley; For O'Leary's WBC International super lightweight championship 

Conor Quinn vs. Conner Kelsall; For the vacant Commonwealth flyweight championship 

Colm Murphy vs. Jack Turner; Featherweight 

James McGivern vs. Rashid Omar; Lightweight 

Jadier Herrera vs. Andres Navarrete; Super featherweight 

Nelson Birchall vs. Kevin Trana; Super featherweight 

Steven Cairns vs. Jonatas Rodrigo Gomes de Oliveira; Lightweight 

Nicola Barke vs. Kerry Haley; Super lightweight 

Jack Turner vs. Darwing Martinez; Bantamweight 

Eoaghan Lavin vs. Artjom Spatar; Super welterweight 

Joe Cooper vs. TBA; Super welterweight 

Walter Fury vs.Vasif Mamedov; Super welterweight

O’Leary vs Foley Prediction

I think O’Leary has this fight well in hand. Foley is as tough as they come and will want to erase the Catterall reverse. But I don’t think he will stand up to the heavy artillery once it is unleashed. Look for ‘Big Bang’ to live up to the name and secure the stoppage at odds of 10/11.

You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page