O'Leary vs. Chamberlain surpassed my expectations, there has to be a rematch

After stealing the show on the undercard of Anthony Cacace's fight with Jazza Dickens five months prior, Ireland's O'Leary and his passionate legion of fans were rewarded with another night at Dublin's 3Arena as the hometown hero 'Big Bang' looked to announce himself as the country's next boxing standard-bearer. 

Chamberlain entered the arena to a chorus of boos, and for someone who has not fought since drawing with Jack Rafferty a year ago, you would think that the Brit would become unstuck with the crowd going up several gears when O'Leary appeared. 

Instead, Chamberlain spoiled the party, producing a career-best performance which saw him knock down O'Leary in rounds two and three, before suffering a thumping gut punch in the seventh and then stopping his opponent three rounds later. 

O'Leary and Chamberlain deliver surprise Fight of the Year contender

I realise I may come across as someone who did not give Chamberlain a chance, far from it, but Saturday night was set up to be a breakthrough moment for O'Leary.

Instead, Chamberlain rose to the occasion and showed he has come a long way since the shock loss to Josh Padley two years ago. 

"From when I got here on Wednesday, I’ve had it all week, the Pierce O’Leary show," Chamberlain told DAZN's Barry Jones and Darren Barker after the win. 

"We’re in Dublin, we’re in his hometown, I’m going to bring my handful of people over, and he’s going to have his whole city behind him.

"I know what I was signing myself up for when I got offered the fight. Do you know what, I love it because all the pressure is on him, not me."

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O'Leary and Chamberlain clash in Fight of the Year contender

Watch the highlights

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O'Leary vs. Chamberlain had everything, from knockdowns to swings in momentum to a punishing finish, and for Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions, it's another contest to add to what has been a stellar year for one of boxing's biggest promoters. 

Speaking to DAZN News after the final bell, Warren was full of praise for the two men. 

"Mark started very well, two knockdowns in two different rounds, they were 10-8 rounds so he was well up, then Pearce started to get himself together, it started to even up and he hit him with that body shot," Warren began.

"The finish, I can’t say it was a surprise, but the way it all happened, he just caught him. One thing about Mark is that he’s a good finisher.

"Fights like that, it takes two supremely good quality fighters to deliver, and they delivered in big style."

Will Chamberlain and O'Leary meet in a rematch? 

A fight as entertaining as O'Leary-Chamberlain, which kept fans on the edge of their seats, warrants a rematch. 

Warren revealed that there is indeed a rematch clause with O'Leary making a voluntary defence of the IBO super lightweight title, and it would be a shock if he does not activate it. Especially after having Chamberlain down in the seventh. 

But Chamberlain will want the contest to be on his terms, including the possibility of it taking place at Fratton Park in his home city of Portsmouth. 

"Frank said in there there’s the rematch, but he’s going to have to dig deep into his pockets on my terms at home," Chamberlain said. "Providing Frank is willing to do that for me, I’m sure we can make it happen."

A stadium fight for Chamberlain is a perfect reward for someone who went into an opponent's backyard and produced a great performance, and it would be an electric atmosphere with O'Leary's Irish cohort immediately making the trip. 

There was some criticism on social media following Chamberlain's stoppage that the contest was an example of bad boxing and did not deserve the plaudits, but sometimes, the best fights are ones which are fuelled by pure violence with little technique. 

As someone who was not expecting a contest which would have so many standout moments and swings in momentum, I can dismiss the lack of technical prowess as it was a fight which surpassed my expectations. 

If a rematch can be arranged, either inside Fratton Park or a return to Dublin, then count me in, Chamberlain and O'Leary deserve it after putting on one of this year's most memorable contests.

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