01 July 2008 – by John Joe Joyce with Rob Mulhern

With just under two months to go to the Olympics, I now know where I stand after the last week in Poland. I was out there with the Irish team for the EU Championships and I only ended up having one fight.

I drew Gyala Kate, a Hungarian boxer Ive fought twice before and went down 23-8 in the quarterfinals.

Kates a two time EU Champion and a former European bronze medallist and hes beaten me twice before. Last year at the EUs in Dublin I got within a couple of points of beating him. But then he beat me at the World Championships (in Chicago) and he beat me here.

I was a bit down after the fight, but then I came out here to see where I was for the Olympics. I think in a way its a good thing because if I had come out here and won, then I might take my foot off the pedal a bit.

After qualifying two months ago I probably took my time a little bit and I know Im not in the best shape I can be in right now.

I watched the fight back on video the day after, and I could see I was doing silly things. I probably threw twice as many punches as Kate but I probably shouldve stood into them a bit more.

I spent the rest of the week working with the trainers and Dom ORourke), and looking at those things. Some of the lads said they bet well meet again at the Olympics because weve been drawn so many times in the last year.

But it was great to be out here and see all the boxers that are in my weight for Beijing.

Lads like Frankie Gavin from England who won the World Championships in October.

After watching Frankie I wouldnt mind if I were to meet him. Ive never sparred him, but looking at him, his style would suit mine.

But most of the week was spent getting ready for the first fight and then training after I was knocked out at the quarter-finals stage.

Its been a busy week. When we arrived over we got to rest for an hour but with a weigh-in the next morning we had to go down and train to make sure wed be under.

I was a kilo and a half over 64kgs before, but after 45minutes of skipping and shadow boxing in the sweat gear I got it down.

The next morning everyone was trying to get in early for the weigh in. It started at 8 O clock and everyone had the same idea to get in early.

If everyone had stopped pushing and shoving we wouldve got through faster and then it was a bit to eat and back to bed for an hour because you wouldnt sleep that well the night before a fight.

Making weight has been fine since I moved up from 60 to 64kgs and the food was pretty good over there compared to other places. Plenty of pastas and chicken, cereals and energy drinks.

You have to be careful though because youve to weigh in every morning. Ive been rooming with my cousin Davy Oliver and Con Sheehan from Tipperary.

Davy won gold on Saturday and that was a great achievement for him and the club and there was a great buzz with the Irish team all week.

In all we won four gold medals, with Darren Sutherland, Ken Egan and John Joe Nevin winning along with Davy.

Paddy Barnes and Con got silver. Its great for the team because its an improvement from where we were last year when we won three gold and two silver.

Rooming with the boys I had to be good all week because I was out of the competition early and they were still in. But Davy was very relaxed the night before the final. His usual self. We always say sure you can only go out and box the lad in front of you and do your best.

And there were no mad celebrations after because we had to leave the hotel at three in the morning to get back to Ireland. Ill be back into the swing of things in Athy this week and therell be a good buzz in the club with Davy winning a European Title and Im focused more than ever on Beijing.

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01 July 2008 – Padraig Hoare

Light-middleweight thrill machine Jamie Moore says he would be the perfect opponent for Oscar De La Hoya’s penultimate fight.

Six-weight world champion and all-time great De La Hoya (39-5, 30 KO) is planning to bow out of the pay game after a December date against the winner of Antonio Margarito (36-5, 26 KO) and Miguel Cotto (32-0, 26 KO).

The “Golden Boy” had originally planned to have two more fights before hanging up his gloves. However a rematch with Floyd Mayweather (39-0, 25 KO) in September fell by the wayside due to the “Pretty Boy’s” immediate retirement a few weeks ago.

Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KO) was also mooted as an opponent in September – but this was also considered a non-runner as Hatton takes on IBF light-welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi (25-1, 5 KO) in November.

British and Irish fans’ favourite Jamie Moore (29-3, 20 KO) has urged De La Hoya to reconsider his one-fight plan and has offered to step into the breach, adding that he and De La Hoya could fill a football stadium in Britain or Ireland if the match was made.

Salford-born Moore, who is half-Irish, headlines Irish television station TV3 and Tommy Egan Promotions’ inaugural Big-Time Boxing show in the National Basketball Arena, Dublin on July 5. He said that it would be the ultimate honour to share the ring with De La Hoya.

The 29-year-old former British and Commonwealth light-middleweight champion (which he relinquished) and current No1 contender for the European crown said:

“I think every fan in the UK and Ireland wants to see Oscar fight on these shores before he retires. I would love to fight the great man and I know it would be a classic.

“Oscar, for all his superstar status, has never avoided anyone and deserves to be considered one of the greatest of all time. He has been in some great wars down through the years.

“Anyone who has seen me fight knows how exciting I can be. My fights against Michael Jones and Matthew Macklin are testament to that. Styles make fights – Oscar and I have the makings of a great one.”

Moore was victorious in two of the greatest contests of the modern era against Michael Jones (sixth-round stoppage) in 2005 and Matthew Macklin (ten-round knockout) in 2006. Both fights were heralded by fans and media alike as the fights of the year.

The Fighter’s Fighter said there was no way he would lie down for the “Golden Boy”.

“I have too much respect for myself and for Oscar to offer myself up for sacrifice. I can guarantee if I got in the ring that I could beat him. You won’t hear any trash talk from me, but when I am at my best I am confident that I can beat anyone in the world. All I have ever wanted was to fight the best. Nobody is better than Oscar De La Hoya.”

Moore has long been regarded as one of the sport’s unluckiest fighters. He has seen opportunities at European and world level disintegrate over the years because of fighters’ reluctance to share a ring with him. This will change in the autumn when he fights Chechen Zarbek Baysangurov for the European crown.

“When I beat Baysangurov, I am hoping the walls come down and I finally get the opportunity to fight for a world title. I’m not one for arrogant talk, but if fans want to see Arturo Gatti-type excitement multiplied by two, then I won’t let them down. I never have. I can box or I can fight, it doesn’t matter to me.”

Moore is considered to be one of the sport’s gentlemen. In a sport dominated by crass talk and hyperbole, Moore says he lets his fists talk for him.

“Nah, mate, I can’t stand that kind of thing. I loved the olden days when there was no trash talk, only two gladiators going toe-to-toe. Matthew Macklin and I had a classic though we are the best of friends. We’re even closer now.”

Moore gained the respect of the boxing fraternity following his brutal knockout of Macklin in October 2006.

Immediately after the knockout, when it became apparent that Macklin was unconscious, Moore appealed to his fans in the arena to mute their celebrations. He followed Macklin to the hospital instead of attending his own after-fight party, which he ordered to be cancelled.

“Thankfully Matt was okay. Once the fight is over, it’s back to being plain old Mooresy. Matt is my friend, it wasn’t right to celebrate.”

That kind of attitude has made Jamie Moore a genuine folk-hero around Manchester and beyond. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by Salford University in 2007 for what Dean of Enterprise Paul Wilson called his contribution to sport and his unstinting work with young people in the community.

He concluded by saying his crowning achievement was yet to come.

“Make no mistake about it – I will be the champion of the world. A bout with Oscar De La Hoya would make that dream a lot closer. We could fill Old Trafford, Croke Park or Wembley Stadium with 100,000 people. Just think about it, Oscar, that’s all I ask.”

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30 June 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Ireland’s middleweight contender John Duddy made a winning return to the ring in Boston on Saturday night, claiming a unanimous points victory over the durable Charles Howe, but it quickly transpired that his future may lie at 154lbs.

Duddy was in complete control throughout his ten-rounder with How, boxing cleverly and utilising his jab to surprisingly good effect as he claimed a commanding victory with scores of 100-90 on all three judges scorecards.

Duddy had been hoping to claim a stoppage in his first fight since labouring to a majority points win over Walid Smichet in February, a bout in which he sustained horrific cuts which effectively ruined his hopes of a shot at middleweight king Kelly Pavlik.

However, despite rocking Howe with a massive left hand in the second round, sending his American foe stumbling back onto the ropes, and dominating nearly every single second of the fight with a more controlled approach, Duddy did not manage a knockdown.

In spite of that, though, he was pleased with his efforts and felt Howe deserved immense credit for managing to say on his feet.

“I caught him with a lot of shots and thought he was ready to go a few times, but [Howe] showed he is a true warrior. He’s as tough as they come, the undefeated Duddy stated.

“I don’t have to be brave all the time. I decided to stop being so hard-headed and do a bit of boxing.”

And Duddys new trainer, Pat Burns, was pleased with the way in which his fighter refrained from being drawn into a brawl, something he has been repeatedly guilty of in the past.

Jermain Taylor’s former mentor commented: “When I looked at films of his earlier fights, it seemed as if whenever he got hit he had a tendency to get his Irish up and fight like he was coming out of a bar.

“What we worked a lot on was keeping him patient and fighting under control, using his jab the way he did.

He added: “I don’t want to take anything away from his previous trainers [Don Turner and Harry Keitt] - I’ve won one fight with John. Those guys won 24 with him.”

And Burns revealed that he is hoping to convince Duddy and his promotional team, Irish Ropes, that dropping down to light-middleweight would a wise move for the Northern Irishman.

Indeed, speculation is rife that Duddy is already closing in on a shot at IBF champing Verno Phillips.

“The more I saw of him [Duddy], the more persuaded I became that 154 should be his optimal fighting weight,” Burns is quoted as saying by espn.com.

“When I asked John about making it, he said ‘No problem.’ The final decision rests with Irish Ropes, of course, but that’s my opinion, and John is on board with it, too.”

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25 June 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Andy Lee has admitted to having a number of sleepless nights following his shock stoppage defeat at the hands of Brian Vera but the Irish middleweight believes that the whole experience has taught him a number of valuable lessons.

Limerick native Lee, who is based in Detroit and trained by the legendary Emanuel Steward, appeared to be closing in on a shot at Kelly Pavlik until he came unstuck against Vera in Connecticut in March, with the referee calling a halt to an absorbing battle towards the end of the seventh round.

The loss came as a massive blow to Lee but he insists that he has now moved on and is looking forward to returning to the ring in his hometown next month for a fascinating clash with Willie Gibbs.

Ive had a lot of sleepless nights thinking the Vera fight through and wondering where it all went wrong, he confessed.

Ive pinpointed the reasons behind it and Im working hard in and out of the ring to address them.

I suppose complacency was a major factor, things were moving very quickly for me at that point and there were fights lined up beyond the Vera fight and I got caught up in that and started looking beyond him.

With the reputation and build-up I was getting and with the fight being live on ESPN across the States it was a big stage for both of us and it was only natural that Vera was going to come in and try and spoil all that for me. He was very hungry and determined and it was his world title fight.

I was just treating it as another fight but he saw it as his big chance and fair play to him he took it.

He was very determined and had prepared excellently and thats one of the many lessons Ive taken from it: you cant overlook anyone and you have to be at your best every time you step between those ropes.

Lee continued: I suppose there was a macho element involved because when he got through with some good shots I wanted to get in my reply straight away so that led me into a brawl and what has always stood to me in my career has been my boxing skills but that went out the window when the crowd started cheering and I got drawn into his fight. That was a valuable lesson.

And Lee is now hoping to get his career back on track with a win over Gibbs, who is a cousin of Bernard Hopkins.

I could have taken an easier opponent but I dont think that would have been right, he reasoned.

Limerick people know their sport and I wouldnt expect them to turn up and pay good money to see me have an easy night.

They pay good money to see a good fight, and I think myself and Gibbs will certainly give them their moneys worth.

Lee added: A win over Gibbs will probably put me ahead of where Id have been even if Id beaten Brian Vera and Im in no doubt that Gibbs will be treating this fight against me the very same as Vera did.

He sees this as his big chance to get back on top. His only defeats have been to top guys in America so hes a very dangerous fighter and his record shows that he can punch too.

Lee has been preparing for his return by sparring with champion and heavyweight number one Wladimir Klitschko.

Its great to see how the heavyweight champion of the world goes about his business, he enthused.

Hes exceptionally dedicated and focused and hes a great influence to have around.

Ive done some sparring with him and it benefits both of us. It helps him with his speed and helps me with my strength and conditioning and of course its a great experience sharing the ring with the heavyweight champion of the world.

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05 June 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Tommy Egan promotions are proud to be able to offer four lucky irish-boxing.com readers the chance to win tickets to the sensational Big Time Boxing bill at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght on July 5.

Headlining is former British and Commonwealth light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore, who will be challenging Ciaran Healy for the Irish title.

The man who dethroned Bernard Dunne as European bantamweight champion, knockout specialist Kiko Martinez, will also be in action, with the Spaniard hoping to take a massive step towards reclaiming the title he lost to Rendall Munroe earlier this year.

Two men who will undoubtedly bring the house down are Tallaghts own Patrick and Paul Hyland, two undefeated fighters from a famous Irish boxing family who are seemingly destined for big things.

Tickets for the bill, which will be televised on TV3, are available on ticketmaster.ie but for trhe chance to win a pair of tickets simply email the answer to the question below to editor@irish-boxing.com before Thursday, July 3.

Jamie Moore was involved in an epic battle with current Irish middleweight champion Matthew Macklin in September, 2006 what was the outcome of the bout?

(A) Macklin win via KO 6

(B) Moore win via KO 10

(C) Moore win via points

In the aforementioned email please enclose the answer, your name, address and daytime telephone number.

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21 June 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Wayne McCullough has revealed that he plans to retire following his surprise stoppage defeat in the Cayman Islands on Friday night.

The former WBC bantamweight World Champion retired at the end of the sixth round in his bout with Juan Ruiz even though he was leading on two of the three judges scorecards at the time.

It was McCulloughs first outing since his second defeat by Oscar Larios in 2005 and he admitted afterwards that the time has probably come for him to hang up his gloves.

“I think this is my last fight and I want to thank you all for coming, the 37-year-old Northern Irishman told the crowd.

I’m disappointed with the way things went but I just felt I couldn’t go on.”

McCullough, who was known for his granite chin and incredible stamina, claimed the WBC belt with a win over Yasuei Yakushiji in Japan in 1995.

He later stepped up weight but failed to taste further world title glory, losing to class acts like Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales, Scott Harrison and Oscar Larios [twice].

After a period of inactivity after the second Larios bout, McCullough hoped to get his career back on track with a win over Kiko Martinez last December but that bout fell through in controversial circumstances.

McCullough then sought out a clash with current European Champion Rendall Munroe but this defeat ended all hopes of that and, ultimately, ended the Pocket Rocket’s illustrious career.

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23 June 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Damian Marchiano has been unveiled as Bernard Dunnes opponent for next months date in Dublin.

The 28-year-old Argentine has lost just four of his 20 professional outings to date but was stopped in the fifth round of his clash with IBO bantamweight Silence Mabuza in South Africa last month.

As a result, he knows that nothing less than victory will suffice on July 12 when he squares up to former European super-bantamweight champion Dunne.

I know I must win this fight but I am confident that I can beat Dunne – even in his hometown, Marchiano stated.

We are working on a strategy for the fight and I think it will surprise Bernard. I dont think he has met someone as physically strong or courageous as me.

I love to fight up close and have a real war and I have a heart as strong as a lion so Bernard better be well prepared because I will make it a very hard night for him.

Meanwhile, Dunnes promoter, Brian Peters, believes that this fight will reveal if his charge is ready to step up and challenge for a world title.

Marchianos just coming off a defeat to Mabuza, who is very highly rated and considered one of the bigger punchers out there, he explained.

He also extended Oscar De La Hoyas big prospect, Abner Mares, the distance late last year so he should give us an indication of Bernards progress on the world stage.

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23 June 2008 – by Padraig Hoare

The most decorated champion in Ireland’s boxing history returns to the television screens this July.

Steve Collins, the former WBO middleweight and super-middleweight champion, will provide studio analysis for TV3 on the Tommy Egan Promotions card from the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght on July 5.

Promoter Tommy Egan said he was delighted with that he had come to agreement with the Celtic Warrior.

“I have called my show Big Time Boxing for a reason. I wanted the best for the television studios as well as in the ring. Jamie Moore, Kiko Martinez are two world-ranked fighters and there is nobody bigger in Ireland than Steve Collins. All the ingredients are there to make the show live up to its name,” he said.

He added that he had always been impressed with Collins’ work in the television studios before.

“Steve knows the game inside out. He tells it like it is and provides exceptional analysis for the viewers. I wanted him on board from day one and TV3 were the same. Everyone is rearing to go now. This only makes a great show even better,” he concluded.

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11 June 2008 – by Mark Doyle

John Duddy has revealed that he is being put through a rigorous training regime by new trainer Pat Burns ahead of his eagerly-anticipated return to the ring.

The Derry middleweight parted company with Don Turner after his laboured points win over Walid Smichet last time out, a fight which saw Duddy sustain horrific cuts above both eyes, ruining his hopes of a shot at undisputed middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik.

However, he says that he has put the pain both physical and mental of that night behind him and is looking forward to his June 28 showdown with Charles Howe in Boston.

Im feeling great. You know, my last few fights, some people have said I looked smaller. Even my mother and father said that, he confessed.

I didnt really feel it but weve been working on me being stronger. Ive enjoyed it. Its been great working with Pat. Ive enjoyed our time together and I like his ideas.

His brother, Joseph, has been a great help, conditioning-wise. I do what I do. I love training to fight.

Training camp has been normal but we implemented weight training three times a day, five times a week and I rarely have a day off.

The preparation for my next fight has been great but, at the end of the day, all that matters is what I do in the ring. Im looking forward to doing much better than I did my last fight.

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12 June 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Willie Gibbs is supremely confident of ruining Andy Lees homecoming when the pair collide in Limerick on July 19.

Indeed, the fighter knows as The Gladiator is amazed that he has been handed a shot at Lee in what will be the Limerick middleweights first outing since his shock stoppage defeat by Brian Vera in March.

Im still scratching my head about this fight, Gibbs stated. I mean the guy just suffered his first defeat and now they want him to suffer a second one straight away!

It doesnt make sense to me but Ill do what I have to do and thats come to Ireland to destroy Andy Lee.

I really dont know what his team are thinking of with this fight. Do they honestly believe Im going to come all the way to Ireland to lie down for him?

I saw Lees last fight and hes a good young fighter whos shooting for his dream like the rest of us but he isnt ready for me.

The fact that they even think they can take me shows theyre underestimating me. Thats a slap in the face for me and its all the motivation I need.

Rest assured Im going to be packing my A game into my suitcase. People are saying that Lee cant afford to lose this one well neither can I so Im going to be a dangerous man in that ring.

Im an old school fighter and I go in there and give blood, sweat and tears because thats what the fans pay to see. The only problem next month is that the tears will be from Lees people.

Gibbs is a cousin of living legend Bernard Hopkins and he is vowing to follow in The Executioners footsteps by becoming one of the biggest names in boxing.

Bernard came through the hard way and ended up right at the top of the game Im going to do the same, the Philadelphian vowed.

Ive had setbacks in my career with managerial and trainer problems but this is a great opportunity for me to beat an up and coming kid and make the world sit up and take notice of Willie Gibbs again.

Beating Andy Lee will put me back in the boxing atmosphere and can take me to a world title fight and thats my goal.

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