Though the main event for many in the 3Arena on Saturday night was Katie Taylor's rematch with Chantelle Cameron, the Celtic light-heavyweight bout between Dubliner Emmet Brennan and Limerick man Jamie Morrissey was lurking on the undercard as an enticing fight.
Brennan fought at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics before going pro, where he was defeated by Uzbekh fighter Dilshodbek Ruzmetov in the first round.
The Dub spoke in the lead-up to Saturday night's fight about his struggles in the aftermath of the Olympics, and it was only this year that he managed to turn professional.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for Brennan, who shared a story with Eddie Hearn ringside immediately after his victory over Morrissey on Saturday night which summed up how hard he has had to fight to get to this point.
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Emmet Brennan has big aspirations after turning fortunes around
Before Katie Taylor and Chantelle Cameron took to the ring on Saturday night, there was an intriguing bout between Emmet Brennan and Jamie Morrissey on the undercard.
Defending Celtic light heavyweight champion Morrissey was beaten in surprisingly dominant fashion by Brennan, who was en route to victory even before a TKO was confirmed in the final round of eight when Morrissey's corner threw in the towel.
25 November 2023; Emmet Brennan, left, and Jamie Morrissey during their BUI Celtic light-heavyweight bout at the 3Arena in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
It was only Brennan's second ever professional fight, and he has had quite the journey to get to this point.
A battle with alcohol was one of the obstacles Brennan had to face as he deliberated on what to do in a post-Tokyo world last year and, midway through 2022, he chose to give up drinking.
He has been open about his decision both on social media and in the pre-bout press duties this week - but his lighthearted interview alongside Eddie Hearn on Saturday night was perhaps what best summed up just how much things had turned around for Brennan.
Ringside at the 3Arena after his victory, Brennan revealed how low he had been at the depth of his depression, and how long he had spent convincing Hearn he was worth taking a shot on:
I've been waiting 18 months for this! I begged this man [Hearn] for a chance 18 months ago, and he shrugged me off!
I was over in New York - he doesn't know about this - and I begged him for a chance. He was standing about six feet away from me, at the time I was drinking terrible, I was suffering from depression, and I missed him. It was my opportunity.
18 months, I kept on grinding, and here I am, winning a title in my second fight.
I begged him to get on later in the night and he wouldn't agree to it! I'll be back, whether it's in Dublin or whether it's in New York. Bring me to New York, and I guarantee I'll sell at least a thousand tickets. I can tell you that.
I'm holding this man to it - the second they go back into Madison Square Gardens, I want to be there.
Emmet Brennan conducted the entire interview with a smile on his face, showing his determination to kick on from Saturday night's victory and go on to even bigger things.
An even greater reflection on Brennan's character was how he immediately turned attention away from his own victory and chose to pay tribute to his brother's fiancée, who has recently been undergoing treatment for cancer.
25 November 2023; Emmet Brennan, with his godson Ollie, after defeating Jamie Morrissey in their BUI Celtic light-heavyweight bout at the 3Arena in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Brennan brought his nephew into the ring with him to celebrate in the aftermath of his victory, and showed a touch of class after what has understandably been a tough time for his family:
Firstly, I want to dedicate that to my brother's fiancée. She's going through chemotherapy at the moment, so that was her son there I had in the ring.
It's been an incrediby tough time for the family over the last few weeks, so I dedicate that to her. She's a great person and she's going to battle through.
An emotional start to the night at the 3Arena.
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