Following the sell-out success of ‘Thriller at The Mill’ in November 2025, the Newtownabbey venue once again welcomed a packed house, delivering another unforgettable evening of sport and entertainment. Branded ‘Theatre of Dreams’, the event marked a major milestone not only for the fighters involved, but for the Theatre itself as it continues to establish a reputation as a unique stage for major sporting occasions.
South Belfast’s unbeaten star Murphy (now 16-0) rose to the moment on home soil, defeating the highly regarded African champion Saleh Kassim Abdalla of Tanzania to secure the vacant Commonwealth Featherweight Title.
The Commonwealth victory propels Murphy into the top 15 of the world rankings across the four major governing bodies and confirms his status as a leading contender on the global stage. His win also paves the way for a blockbuster all-Ireland clash with Dublin’s Jono Carroll, now set for March at the 3Arena, where the vacant IBO World Super Featherweight Championship will be contested.
The co-main event saw Carnmoney favourite Kyle Smith make a successful return to Theatre at The Mill, further building on his growing reputation after previously announcing himself at the venue with a first-round stoppage victory earlier in the year.
The undercard showcased the depth of local boxing talent, with winning performances from:
Hijjah McMahon (Belfast)
Gerard Hughes (Ballycastle)
Carlos Pereira (Ballymena)
Theatre at The Mill extends its thanks to MHD Promotions, Bet McLean and R Kings Competitions for their continued partnership and to the fighters, officials and supporters who contributed to another great event.
With championship boxing now firmly part of its story, Theatre at The Mill looks forward to welcoming further major sporting and live events in the months ahead.
For other upcoming events at visit theatreatthemill.com