A dream homecoming and crack at landing a European title has turned into a “nightmare” for a Galway boxer.

For the plug has been pulled on Kieran Molloy’s WBA European welterweight title fight at the home of Galway GAA.

Almost 2,000 tickets had already been sold for the Oughterard boxer’s showdown with Kaisee Benjamin at Pearse Stadium on Saturday, June 28.

Excitement was mounting, particularly in his home parish of Oughterard, ahead of what would have been the biggest boxing promotion ever in the West of Ireland.

Molloy’s title showdown against his English opponent was to be the headline act of the unique 11-bout promotion in Salthill.

But on Monday Galway GAA was forced to withdraw Pearse Stadium for the title fight after the promoter had missed the deadline for paying the rental fee involved – believed to be around €12,500.

The original deadline for Izzy Asif, GBM Sports Promoter and CEO, to make the GAA’s financial deadline was last Friday, and though that was extended to Monday of this week, no payment was still forthcoming,

It left the GAA with no option but to abandon their commitment over making Pearse Stadium available, leaving the Molloy camp scampering to salvage the situation.

A surprising development during the week was the revelation that the boxing show scheduled for Pearse Stadium is now set to go ahead in Hull in England on the same night.

But the sting in the tail is that Molloy’s bout against Benhamin has yet to be confirmed as part of the re-arranged fight night.

Kieran’s father’s and co-coach, Stephen, expressed his frustration over this unexpected turn of events but praised Galway GAA for “going out of their way” in trying to make the boxing promotion happen.

“It’s a nightmare and Kieran is bitterly disappointed. All he wanted to do was show the people of Galway his boxing skills. We never thought something like this would happen.”

However, Stephen promised that all the local boxing fans who have purchased tickets will get a refund. “Everything is just up in the air now.” he added.

The first face-off between Molloy and Benjamin had taken place at Pearse Stadium last week and both boxers flew in from England from their training camps for the media day.

Benjamin, from Birmingham, with a record of 18 wins from 23 fights, has never been stopped, sharing the ring with world title contenders Dalton Smith and Sean McComb.

Molloy is undefeated as a pro with a perfect record of 11 wins (six knock outs) and being tipped for future world championship honours.

At that event, the former Killannin underage Gaelic footballer said that “as a kid growing up in Oughterard, I always dreamt of fighting in Pearse Stadium, this is my first title fight as a professional and I can’t wait for it”.

“There are so many people around here who have supported me since my earliest amateur days, and I am very proud to bring an event of this magnitude to their doorstep.”

Unfortunately for Molloy, the chance to fight in front of his home fans has been derailed for now, but his camp remains hopeful that Galway will one day play host to one of the rising stars of professional boxing.