 In April 2006, Damaen Kelly challenged Maludrottu at the Andersonstown Leisure Centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland.Kelly was attempting to become the first Irishman to capture the European (EBU) Bantamweight Title and the first Irish fighter to win the European title at two different weights.Maludrottu was the naturally bigger man and carried more power having fought and Bantamweight for the majority of his career however Kelly possessed the faster hands and higher technical ability.