Darragh Foley and Joebert de los Reyes will come to blows for the vacant WBA Oceania super lightweight title over a scheduled 10 rounds at Club Punchbowl in New South Wales, Australia, on Saturday, July 2.
Born in Kent, England, but fighting out of Sydney, New South Wales, 27-year-old Foley is a three-year pro (8-2, 6 KOs) who last fought in March, losing in his quest for the WBA Oceania lightweight title to Brandon Ogilvie, who won by unanimous decision. Foley last won this past November, knocking out Miles Zalewski in the first, thus winning Australia’s lightweight title. He’d fought de los Reyes once before, last July, losing by split decision. Prior to the rematch, the southpaw is scheduled to take on Roy Tua Manihuruk (18-15-2, 14 KOs) on May 25.
A Filipino fighting out of Gunnedah, New South Wales, 26-year-old de los Reyes is an eight-year ring vet (15-6-1, 10 KOs) who most recently fought last December, for the PABA lightweight title, losing by fourth-round KO to George Kambosos Jr. His most recent win came this past July, beating Aphichat Koedchatturat by sixth-round technical decision. Glass-jawed, all six of the Filipino’s defeats have come by way of stoppage, including a fourth-round TKO loss last April to Emmanuel Tagoe, who thus won the then-vacant WBA International lightweight title.
“The Foley vs. de los Reyes fight will be a great rematch as the Filipino holds a win over Foley,” says promoter Paul Nasari. “The WBA Oceania title is up for grabs so it is possible the winner will be world-rated. Both fighters have lost to world-rated boxers recently and are looking to re-establishing their careers with Foley having lost to WBA-rated Brandon Ogilvie and de los Reyes losing to WBA-rated George Kambosos. In my opinion the Foley vs. de los Reyes is a 50-50 fight.”
This article was penned by the author who is not related to the WBA and the statements, expressions or opinions referenced herein are that of the author alone and not the WBA.
