Chicago-based Henry Coyle (10-1, 9kos) will have the biggest fight of his professional career on Friday night when he takes on Neil Sinclair (31-7, 24kos) for the Irish light middleweight title at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast on the undercard of Martin Rogan/Sam Sexton heavyweight fight.

IrishCentral caught up with his father Gerry on Tuesday for an update on the Geesala fighter’s preparations. “The camp is going very well thank God and we are looking forwards to him being in tip top shape for Friday night,” said Gerry. “Henry is in the position that he wants to be. He feels it is his time to come and show what he is made of.”

Trainer Sam Colonna and Henry had been working at Geesala Boxing Club, but the entourage headed to Belfast Wednesday to finish preparations for the fight, which is scheduled for ten rounds.

Though Sinclair is 3-3 for his last six fights, the 35-year-old Belfast native, who won a bronze medal at the 1992 World Junior Championships in Montreal, represents a substantial step up for the Mayo man.  

“Henry’s advantage is always in the later rounds, he is conditioned for the long haul. We have to be careful because Sinclair has a great knockout punch, his record is phenomenal, 24 knockouts in 31 wins. Of course he will have to be careful too, it works both ways when you are crossing the street.”

“He has done a lot of hard sparring and the years of hard slog will stand to him,” continued Coyle senior. “The Mayo people will take Belfast by storm!” Fans stateside can listen to the fight on www.midwestirishradio.com. The broadcast begins at 4 p.m. EST.