Ruadhan Farrell insists he will "put to bed" any debate over his rivalry with Gerard Hughes. The pair are on collision course once again, with their rematch confirmed for March 1 at the SSE Arena.

It is part of a huge night of boxing in the city, on a card headlined by Lewis Crocker's world title elimination showdown with Paddy Donovan.

Farrell and Hughes fought out a contentious draw back in December 2023, a result that almost saw the 25-year-old quit the sport.

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He admits that night at the SSE Arena was the "lowest I've felt in boxing" after referee Hugh Russell Jnr scored the bout 57-57.

Plenty has been said on the controversy since then, but Farrell insists he will finally get the win he feels he earned 13 months ago.

"This is another big fight, and there is a bit of beef in it. I know I am the better fighter. I know I won the first time. He can think what he wants about it," Farrell told Belfast Live.

"People have talked about the first fight, but people know I won that fight by five rounds to one. I beat him seven days a week and twice on a Sunday, in my eyes.

"It is about putting it to bed. I boxed him last time, but this time I will be aggressive and will knock him out. I like Gerard and there's respect, but he is in my way and I want to move up the ladder.

"I think I will KO Gerard Hughes on March 1."

Farrell added: "That result was tough. A couple of weeks later I lost my cousin to cancer, and I was dedicating that fight to him.

"I remember him ringing me before the fight saying 'I know you've got this', and then not being able to dedicate the win to him was gutting.

"I was close to packing it all in. I had a couple of bad weeks because I knew I won. But it doesn't change the draw on my record.

"It doesn't matter what people say, the draw is there.

"But it has made me stronger and more mature as a person. I have changed. It is all down to the people around me keeping me on the ground.

"This is a massive card and there is a lot at stake in our fight. The other fights will be exciting too."

Also fighting on March 1 is Tommy McCarthy and Steven Ward who will meet in a massive all-Belfast cruiserweight clash.

Padraig McCrory is also being lined up for a big fight on the Matchroom card.

Farrell believes it will be another special night of boxing in the city.

"It is a great card to be on. I was on the top table at the press conference. What more could you want?" Farrell said.

"I remember struggling to even secure a debut fight. It dragged on and on, and here I am now, fighting in the SSE Arena for the fourth time and having won two belts already.

"I am just very grateful to be in this position."

Farrell has claimed the Celtic and Irish super-bantamweight titles in his eight-fight career. At 25 he feels he has plenty more to prove in the fight game.

"I haven't had time to reflect on my career so far. It has been a rollercoaster," he said.

"My wee girl has the belts up in her room. I am not allowed to take them out. I tried to take them to bring to the gym and she went mad.

"Again, it is stuff like that which brings a smile to my face. It has been an amazing journey so far.

"I think I am coming on leaps and bounds. I am still making mistakes, but since the last Gerard Hughes fight I have improved massively.

"I have stayed in the gym for several months and kept working, and took my opportunities when I got them. I am only 25, so I am still young and learning."

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