Canadians clash with title on the line
Josh O’Reilly will meet a Canadian opponent for the first time in more than four years, and there’s a lot on the line for both Canucks.
The 28-year-old Hamilton native, undefeated in 13 pro bouts, will meet Cam O’Connell of Red Deer, Alta., on Saturday, Jan. 19, at Brampton’s CAA Centre with the vacant North American Boxing Association lightweight title on the line.
The NABA is associated with the World Boxing Association, one of the four worldwide major title-granting boxing bodies.
“On paper, it’s my toughest fight so far,” O’Reilly says. “The winner goes into the top 15 of the WBA world rankings. At the world level, no one really knows me yet, and this would be a start.”
O’Reilly fought, and won, three times in 2018, including a unanimous decision over Mexico’s Juan Orozco in Mississauga for the International Boxing Association Intercontinental title. That victory came on St. Patrick’s Day, further sweetening the decision for O’Reilly, who’s proud of his Irish heritage. Coincidentally, his opponent for the NABA title goes by the nickname “Irish.”
“A lot of people have made comments about that,” O’Reilly laughs. “It’ll be a fun fight to watch for as long as it lasts, because of our styles. He comes to fight, I come to fight. I’d like to stop him.”
O’Connell, who turns 30 this week, is 17-2-1 as a pro. He will be the first Canadian O’Reilly has faced since his second pro bout, in October 2014, when he boxed to a unanimous decision over Michael Gargouri in Gatineau.
“O’Connell and I came up together through the amateurs, and he was national amateur champion twice,” O’Reilly says, “But I’ve never fought him; he’s a little older and a bit heavier. We were lined up to fight one time as amateurs but he turned pro before it could happen.”