Lowell light welterweight Sean Eklund has been fighting in the shadows of his famous uncles, “Irish” Micky Ward and Dicky Eklund, since the day he first put on a pair of boxing gloves.
This Wednesday night, the 28-year-old Eklund (10-4, 2 KOs) will be fighting his way out of his uncles’ shadows, at home in Lowell for the first time as a professional boxer, in the eight-round “Homecoming” co-feature against James Ventry (7-13-1, 4 KOs). Micky (head trainer) and Dicky (assistant trainer), of course, will be working Sean’s corner at the famed Lowell Memorial Auditorium.
“Homecoming” is presented by Chicago Fight Clubs Promotion (“CFC Promotion”) and headlined by a 10-round fight for the vacant United States Boxing Organization (“USBO”) super middleweight title between hometown favorite “Irish” Joey McCreedy (13-5-2, 6 KOs) and Dion Savage (11-3, 6 KOs).
“There’s good and bad about being a pro boxer with uncles like Micky and Dicky,” Sean explained. “I learned how to box and about the business side of boxing working out with Micky when he was training to fight Arturo Gatti. Being their nephew opened doors and gave me opportunities I wouldn’t have had. But there’s another side, too. Some people like or dislike me based on me being their nephew. Some don’t think I should get some of the opportunities I’ve had in boxing. Others have preconceived notions about what type of fighter I should be, all because of my uncles. It’s been that way since I first laced-up my gloves. I’m used to it by now.
“Some people feel I think I’m too good for them, but that’s just not true. It’s because I’m more reserved, quiet like Micky, not like Dicky who, of course, is more open. I’ve heard stories about what people have said about me who don’t even know me. I got some good chances early and lost my first two fights. I started out 0-2 and that put me in a hole. I lost two close fights to guys I bet I’d beat right now. Four-round fights just are not good for me. I’m a slow starter, like Micky was.”
Sean and McCreedy are longtime friends and CFC Promotion stable-mates. As kids they used to talk about fighting as pros on the same card in Lowell. Wednesday night that dream becomes reality.
“It think it’s great,” Sean added. “Every pro wants to fight at home in front of their family and friends. Our (his and Joey’s) last two fights were off-TV in Halifax and Chicago. Now, our family and friends can watch us right at home. I can’t wait.”
