By Matt Bevan

Dronfield middleweight Lewis Taylor (19-2-1, 3 KOs) will travel to Dublin on February 25 to take on Luke Keeler (11-2, 5 KOs) at the National Stadium over eight rounds on a card promoted by Red Corner Promotions.

The 27-year-old, who has travelled to Ireland before, losing a tight majority decision to Eamonn O’Kane in 2015, is looking forward to returning to the Emerald Isle and make a statement as he chases down a potential shot at the British title in 2017.

He expects a tough challenge from Keeler, but he is confident he can overcome the Irishman’s all-action style and return to Dronfield with a win on his record this time around.

Taylor told Boxing Scene: “I got the call last Friday [February 3] and by the weekend it was all done, so it’s full steam ahead, although I was in training anyway. I’ve been over there before and all the locals were great, introducing themselves, so it’s good to be going back. I just want the result to go in my favour this time.

“I won comfortably against O’Kane and you could tell from his reaction that I’d done more than enough. I knew I would have to do a number on him and his own supporters, even his own family were coming up to me and saying I should have got the decision.

“So it’s going to be the same with Keeler. I’ve seen a few of his fights and he’s strong and is a hard puncher. But I’ve never been in with anyone who has had me in any real trouble. I won’t underestimate him and I’ll go out and stamp my authority on the fight, beat him and move on to bigger fights.”

Taylor hopes that a win over Keeler will put him right back in the conversation for a shot at the British title, currently held by Tommy Langford, who got the better of him by unanimous decision last March in Liverpool, when the Commonwealth belt was on the line.

There is also a possibility of some mouth watering local derbies in Sheffield with the likes of Sam Sheedy, who goes for the same Commonwealth title Langford has recently vacated on March 18, and Adam Etches, who came up short against John Ryder on February 4 in their battle for the vacant IBF International super-middleweight belt.

But Taylor is fully focused on the clash with Keeler and is grateful to his manager Dave Coldwell, who he linked up with in August last year, for getting him the opportunity over in Dublin.

“Keeler is going to come and have a go,” Taylor continued, “so it won’t be easy and he will be on me all the way through. He dropped Tom Doran last year, before he was taken out a round later, so there are some doubts around him and I’m more than confident I will get the job done.

“Then it’s all about the British and I’d jump at the chance for a rematch with Langford. I’ve proved that I belong at that level, but I should have been a lot better against him and didn’t perform the way I should have done. I don’t know honestly know why. It will be a totally different result the next time around [if I fight him].

“There are some local derbies in Sheffield too which will be great, but Etches was well beaten last time by Ryder, so actually I’d like to face him instead. Sheedy is going for the Commonwealth and he should win easily looking at his opponent, so as long as the deal works out, I’ll take that fight.

“I’d like to thank Dave for sorting this for me. I joined him last year when things were going a bit stale with Dennis Hobson and you only need to look at his record to see what he’s about. He’s got good kids that are all going places and I want him to take me there. I’ll get past Keeler on the 25th and then we’ll see where we go as a team next.”