By Elliot Foster

Ian Tims and Luke Watkins will clash next month.

The pair will clash for the vacant Irish cruiserweight title on a Sky Sports-screened bill.

Tims, from Dublin, and ‘The Duke’, whose mother hails from Wexford, are set to feature as part of the undercard of ‘Belfast Boy’ at the SSE Arena the city.

Their showdown –– which was confirmed via social media –– will take place on June 10 on a card promoted by Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing and topped by Ryan Burnett’s challenge for Lee Haskins’ IBF world bantamweight title.

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It’s a major step-up for undefeated Watkins, who is managed by former George Groves coach Paddy Fitzpatrick, against former champ Tims of Clondalkin, who defeated Michael Sweeney on a narrow points decision (97-95) to win the belt at the City West Hotel in Dublin back in 2011.

Paul Hyland Jr. was the first fighter to be confirmed for the undercard and it has since been revealed that he will be in a title fight. No further details, regarding the type of belt or his foe, have yet been disclosed.

Also announced for the card at the first press conference, which took place at the Europa Hotel recently, were Coalisland super featherweight Feargal McCrory, fresh off his win over Jay Carney last month who recently turned down the opportunity to face Joe Cordina at Wembley Stadium on April 29, and that division’s Irish champion James Tennyson.

Tennyson was last in action on March 10 at the Waterfront Hall when he stopped Declan Geraghty. He had been set to box on ‘Celtic Clash 2’ on May 27 in Dublin, but he withdrew from that card in favour of appearing on the Haskins-Burnett televised bill. Boxing Scene understands another title fight could be in the offing for Tennyson.

Matt Wilton, Paddy Gallagher and Tyrone McCullagh will feature alongside undefeated Carl McDonald, while Kieran Farrell-managed duo Padraig McCrory and Sean Magee will both make dream debuts on the bill.

In other news, Dublin featherweight Kieran Kenny has made the switch to the paid code.

The 22-year-old former Monkstown amateur has linked up with Boxing Ireland Promotions, where he joins the likes of Eric Donovan, Sean Creagh, and Aiden Metcalfe, and is set to make his professional debut after the summer.