31 March 2010 – By David Boyle

Unbeaten Dundalk lightweight Michael Kelly is flying out to Toronto for his first taste of action in 2010. His opponent on April 8 will be Canadian lightweight Buzz Grant, 8-3 (3KO).

Kelly has no fears fighting abroad in Buzz’s backyard, having had a extensive amateur background.

I boxed in Canada before as an amateur and its was a great place and I cant wait to get back in the ring,” he said. Michaels first outing in 2010 was delayed after he bowed to injury in February – a week before a scheduled fight on the Andrew Murray vs Oisin Fagan bill.

I had a slight tear in my chest but for the week of the fight I couldn’t raise my arm. Since then I have been training flat out and sparring everyday with no problems.

The Dundalk fighter is venturing into the unknown as he hasnt seen his opponent fight. Normally Kelly would have viewed dvd or youtube footage of opponents – but not for Buzz.

The fact that I havent seen him doesnt bother me in the slightest, having been an international amateur for quite a while I am used to not seeing my opponents, however it is always an advantage to see the guy first. I have seen pictures of him and he looks like he keeps himself in tremendous shape but I am too long in the tooth to worry about how good someone looks.

Kelly feels that once he starts unloading his shots not many fighters will stay around until the end of the bout.

I’m an aggressive fighter but I am accurate with my work and thats where I have an advantage on most. If I land them the way I know I can they could go anytime.

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30 March 2010 – Press Release

Three undefeated Irish based Cuban boxers are determined to offer a triple threat as they bid to add professional World titles to the World Junior titles they won in the amateur ranks.

The trio, Heavyweight Mike The Rebel Perez (8 – 0 with 6 KO’s), Light Heavyweight Luis El Len Garcia (5 – 0 with 4 KO’s) and Super Bantamweight Alexei The Hurricane Acosta (10 – 0 with 10 KO’s) have just wrapped up an intensive period of sparring in their adopted home city of Cork as they sharpen up ahead of their next competitive outings.

The trio have parted company with former manager Gary Hyde and are now being managed by Cork businessman Patrick Thomas who has linked up with Brian Peters in a move that has left all three feeling reinvigorated about their professional careers.

Just last month Acosta recorded yet another inside the distance victory over former World Champ Felix Machado to improve his record to a perfect 10 – ten fights, ten wins and ten KO’s. Perez and Garcia are also gearing up for a ring return following long periods of inactivity and they have brought in World class sparring partners to help them shed any ring rust accumulated during their respective layoff’s.

Perez has been sparring Kevin Kingpin Johnson, the World rated American who was unbeaten in 22 fights until losing on points to Vitali Klitschko in a Heavyweight title fight last December.

Garcia has also been mixing in top class company having brought Los Angeles based Light Heavyweight Enrique Ornelas to Ireland for some intensive sparring sessions. Ornelas last outing came in December when he dropped a 12 round points decision to boxing superstar Bernard Hopkins.

Acosta has also been clocking up the rounds sparring with Canadian prospect Andrew Kooner and unbeaten Irish featherweight Willie Casey. All three were delighted with the work but particularly Perez and Garcia who have both been on the sidelines for extended periods due to injury and inactivity.

Perez dislocated a shoulder last year and hasn’t fought in over a year while Garcia has been out of the ring since last April however both men are now ready to relaunch their careers.

It’s been very frustrating sitting on the sidelines because of the injury but I’m back now and the shoulder is as good as new, revealed Perez.

The heavyweight division is desperately in need of a new star and I believe I can get people excited about heavyweight boxing once again. Kevin Johnson is one of the best heavyweights out there right now and just went the distance with Vitali Klitschko but he didn’t pose any problems for me in sparring.

I know I still have things to work on and I need to keep improving but I won’t be happy until I am crowned the World Heavyweight Champion and give the people of Cuba and Ireland a Champion that they can be proud of.

Garcia is also looking forward to his ring return.

Last year was frustrating for me with fights falling through but that is in the past and now I only want to look to the future. Obviously it is not easy to leave your family and friends behind in Cuba but I am very happy here in Ireland. Cork is my home now, I’m very settled here and have good friends here so it’s where I want to stay and fulfil my potential.

Like every other boxer I want to fight on the big stage and have World title fights in places like Las Vegas and Madison Square Garden but I believe that I can still do that while basing my career in Ireland. Like Cuba Ireland has a great tradition in boxing and hopefully I can help to add to that.

Boxing is my life and I believe it is my destiny to be a great World Champion. Sparring with Enrique Ornelas and World Champions like Carl Froch has done nothing to change that belief.

Garcia was delighted to sharpen his skills against Ornelas with the Mexican fresh from his battle with Bernard Hopkins.

Enrique is a good, experienced pro and it’s always good to spar people like that. He’s just coming off a points defeat to Hopkins so he knows what it is like to compete at the highest level.

Acosta has advanced the furthest of the trio to date with his perfect run now stretching to double figures. Despite his growing reputation as a knockout artist the 22-year-old believes there is much more to come in terms of power.

I don’t focus on the knock out. My aim is to win and if a fight finishes early that’s a bonus, said Acosta.

I actually have a problem on the middle knuckle of my right hand which has meant that I’m not as effective with my right as I would like but I am going to get treatment on that and once that has been addressed then I’ll be able to get full power in to my right hand.

All three of us are still young guys, myself and Luis are just 22 and Mike is 24 which is very young for a heavyweight. We are not in a rush to get to the top but with our amateur experience we don’t fear any one out there and we all believe we can reach the very top in the sport.

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29 March 2010 – By Cormac Campbell

Two Irish bills have been confirmed for May with Dublin and Belfast the venues.

Team Alio and Belfast Promotions will stage their latest event at the citys Holiday Inn on May 8.

The bill, which features Luke Wilton, Phil Townley, Niall Diamond, Michael Harvey, Paul Keyes and Brian Cussack looks great value at just 30 a ticket. Of particular note is that Wiltons bout looks set to be an eight rounder meaning he would then be eligible to contest an Irish title fight most likely against Belfast rival Jamie Conlan.

At the end of the month (May 29) Dolphil Promotions hope to stage a show at Dublins CityWest venue.

The headline bout is expected to be a rubber match between Irish super-middleweight champion Anthony Fitzgerald and Robbie Long.

Other names mentioned for the Dublin show include Willie Casey, James Moore, Finbarr Eade and cult favourite Gavin Prunty.

Stay tuned to irish-boxing.com for further information on both bills.

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29 March 2010 – Press Release

Twenty five years ago the fabulously successful partnership of boxing manager BJ ‘Barney’ Eastwood and his young featherweight sensation Barry McGuigan reached the summit by winning the WBA featherweight title.

Eastwood, then a leading Northern Ireland bookmaker who previously dabbled in professional boxing promotions in Belfast during the 1960′s, masterminded the meteoric rise of McGuigan in a cleverly choreographed path that included studied matchmaking and the need to cosy up to and make deals with the rulers of World professional boxing. It proved a fascinating journey, one that sadly ended in heartbreak 24 years ago.

This carefully crafted and exclusive fly-on-the-wall authorised biography on the life and fascinating times of self-made Irish tycoon Eastwood is arguably the most revealing narrative ever on a special time in Irish professional boxing. For over half-a-century BJ was involved in the cut and thrust of bookmaking and property developing, yet became universally accepted as one of the world’s most astute boxing managers, especially his glorious gamble to guide County Monaghan’s McGuigan to global honours.

The charismatic ‘Clones Cyclone’ and Eastwood enjoyed universal acclaim, when McGuigan dethroned Panamanian legend Eusebio Pedroza at Loftus Road, London, in mid-summer 1985. Equally remembered is the ugly break-up of the partnership a year later, after McGuigan lost to Texan Steve Cruz in Las Vegas. The once-great pairing plunged to a sickening split, ending in closing High Court action in 1992.

Eastwood, the 1991 WBA. ‘Manager of the Year’ who steered six fighters to World title honours – including the colourfully unpredictable flyweight Dave ‘Boy’ McAuley, shied away from repeated media attempts to extensively probe his private life and innermost thoughts on the bitter row. Until now, that is. He insisted the very public bust-up might have been avoided – at least delayed, because he secured, in late 1985, the perfect progressive plan to make McGuigan a two-weight World champion.

Denis O’Hara, one of Ireland’s leading journalists who was involved in boxing since his schooldays, charters Eastwood’s unwavering interest in boxing – from amateur action at school in Cookstown, County Tyrone, through a fight-promoter spell in Belfast’s Ulster Hall during the 1960′s; then into the McGuigan era, and ending after IBF World Flyweight king McAuley lost his crown to Colombian Rodolfo Blanco in 1992.

Throughout this absorbing account, one that includes a teenage BJ winning All-Ireland Minor Gaelic football honours with Tyrone, is the steady dignified presence of childhood sweetheart, the ever-supportive Frances Eastwood. Placing the angst, that rigidly remains in the Eastwood family following McGuigan’s shock decision to make a split, is a rare reflection from Mrs Eastwood that sums up the rift.

Available from leading bookstores, www.Amazon.co.uk, www.Glendunpublishing.com, or denisjohn@utvinternet.com.

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25 March 2010 – By Leonard Gunning

At the age of 36 Portmarnock puncher Oisin Fagan has called a halt to his career as a professional boxer which has given him a glimpse of the fight games high and low points. However, the former Irish champion, who calls it a day with a record of 25 wins from 33 contests with 15 wins by knockout, isnt quite finished with pugilistic pursuits as he takes up a community-based role with the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (IABA).

Fagan revealed, I decided to retire from the boxing ring so that I could give a little back to my community, both through my experiences within boxing circles and the familiarity I have teaching children. Most boxing fans know that I was a primary schoolteacher in the USA and I must say that I miss my kids an awful lot, having left the profession about 18 months ago.

Whilst the Irish Department of Education have not recognise the qualifications that Fagan earned Stateside he will utilise those same capabilities in his new role working within the community on behalf of the IABA. No role could better suit this infectious, likeable character who went on to explain that it was his dream job, helping some of Dublins most disadvantaged youngsters from the Travelling Community looking to fulfill their dreams. And to some of the poor, young immigrants who have recently come to the country. This perspective will not surprise those familiar with Fagans nature and temperament.

The Fagan story is an intriguing one. A talented soccer player, he was a latecomer to the paid ranks and only became a professional in 2003. With a handful of low-level amateur bouts in Ireland under his belt, Oisin fell back into boxing after he completed a degree course at the University of Oklahoma and found himself without the bus fare home.

Thats when I decided to give professional boxing a shot at 29 years of age, laughed Fagan, whose first fight earned him a meager $200. He found an immediate aptitude for the sport and made something of a name for himself in the US as a tough, brawling pressure fighter who would never duck an opponent despite the odds often being stacked against the Gael Force.

His cult status was bolstered after losing a pair of controversial split decisions to Verquan Kimbrough and the unbeaten former WBA and IBF lightweight world champion Paul Spadafora. Most ringside journalists called both fights in favour of Fagan but the decisions went the way the hometown fighters.

With twisted irony these injustices worked in the Dubliners favour as the average boxing fan ended up rooting for the diminutive Dubliner. Fagan returned to Europe in 2008 and gained a shot at dethroning British Golden Boy Amir Khan in front of SKY Sports Pay-Per-View cameras. The bout ended in disaster for Fagan when he suffered a broken ankle following an awkward fall during a first round knockdown. That loss still haunts him to this day as he feels he let himself down on what was the potential zenith of his career.

His first real chance to erase the memory of that loss came in a barnstorming battle against fellow Dubliner Eddie Hyland, the eldest of the famous Hyland Brothers. In what was dubbed the Tallaght Civil War, Fagan once again tasted the bitter zest of defeat in a fight that was awarded the 2009 Irish Fight of the Year by Boxing Scene.

However, it was the final defeat of his career that became the bitterest pill to swallow. Fagan once again was paired in a highly anticipated Irish title fight, this time against Cavan-born stylist Andrew Murray in February 2010. Going into the fight the Gael Force was in need of a strong tailwind if he was to overcome Murray who sat a heavy 1/5 favourite with the bookmakers.

The Cavan boxer, an EU amateur medalist, settled into an early rhythm and controlled the shorter, marauding Fagan with his piston like jab. However, the resilient Fagans game plan was to weather the initial onslaught from Murray and take the fight to his opponent in the later rounds.

However, with just fifteen seconds of the fifth round remaining, referee David Irving stepped in to stop the bout. Prematurely in my opinion, but hey maybe it was to protect the nervous mammies watching the bout on RTE from Fagan grossly swollen eye.

Boxing is a mans game and an experienced Irish third man such as Irving should not only have been aware of Fagans propensity to succumb to an engorged bulb but also his tenacity and resoluteness. The manner of the stoppage will surely have injured the pride of a warrior such as Fagan who should have been offered the opportunity to drag Murray into the deep waters or at the very least be allowed to exit the stage on his shield.

Only too often Fagan played the part of the honourable nearly man but his career was not without its nights of celebration, as Fagan himself explained: I was the proudest Irish title winner ever, back in 2006, when I stopped Jeff Thomas for the light-welterweight belt. Being honest, most fighters use it (the Irish title) as a stepping-stone to bigger things and thats a smart outlook, if they feel they can use it to further their careers. However, as a proud Irishman, the Irish title in itself makes my veins burst with pride.

His talents have also not gone unnoticed by some boxing greats, as Fagan fondly remembered, Big George Foreman told me, Irishman, you are one tough cookie while Ray Boom Boom Mancini said, Fagan is an Irish warrior of epic proportions”. The great Julio Cesar Chavez (Senior) didn’t say much, but after I fought his son, the camera switched to see his reaction and it looked as if he thought that JCC Junior had been beaten the night we fought each other, which was quite a satisfying image.

Fagan was, by his own admission, never the most graceful of fighters but earned an Irish light-welter championship and Oklahoma super-featherweight belt through sheer relentless dedication and dogged determination. This determination and his likeable character earned him more fans on the Irish boxing scene than many fighters with superior technical ability.

Oisin always sought to emulate his namesake of the Na Fianna folklore and the phrase game as a pheasant and tough as old boots truly epitomised the Gael Forces viewpoint. Hopefully he can now pass this enthusiasm and will to win on to the next generations in his new role with the IABA.

He will be remembered as a fighter from the old school who never shied away from a fight, never trash talked, never ducked an opponent and never gave anything less 100 per cent no matter what the circumstance. Good luck Fago!

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24 March 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Fresh from his British featherweight title defence, Belfast’s Martin Lindsay, and new promoter Frank Maloney, spoke exclusively to irish-boxing.com as the duo aim to plot a path to the European title and beyond.

“We’re not calling anything out or making firm commitments at the moment but the European title is being looked at,” revealed Maloney.

“I thought it was a first class performance [versus Arthur]. I believe Martin is the best featherweight in Britain and Europe and within the next year you’ll see him establishing himself on the world scene. He’s fighting in a competitive weight division but his next fight will be in Belfast, whether it’s the British title defence or a fight for the European title. We’ll be sorting everything out over the coming weeks but the next one’s definitely in Belfast.”

That is excellent news for all local fight fans and Lindsay was equally as enthused. Speaking during a well deserved rest period he paid testament to the resolve of his stubborn challenger Jamie Arthur on March 19.

“Jamie was very fit and kept coming,” admitted Lindsay. “It’s always good to get the 12 rounds under your belt. In the last couple of sessions I was more patient and it was all about getting the result without taking any risks. My coach Nugget Nugent and I do intense fitness work and I was just coasting at the end – I know I can do the full distance.”

Following the unforeseen split with Hayemaker Promotions (after the collapse of Setanta) Martin spent a lengthy period as a free agent, but the 27-year-old is delighted to be signed back up with a top domestic promoter.

“Frank Maloney put the best offer on the table and I actually signed the contract in the changing rooms before the fight. Frank was talking about getting a voluntary defence in Belfast and then we’ll take a look at bigger things,” said Lindsay.

Maloney is just as pleased with his coup: “Martin’s signature is one that I’ve always wanted and I’m over-the-moon to have signed him. I believe he will be world class within the next year. Normally after a title fight my phone rings constantly from other opponents looking a crack but this time I haven’t had one call so I think he’s scaring all the other British fighters away.”

As always, Lindsay took a sizeable away following to Leigh and as his star rises Maloney may have to look at venues bigger than the Ulster Hall that housed Martins dramatic British title-winning effort last April over Paul Appleby.

“The Irish fans made themselves heard in the arena and it ended up being like a home fight for me,” agreed Martin.

“There were a few local fighters on the bill and when they were finished there was a bit of a lull; it was strange having an Irish fighter and a Welshman fighting each other in Leigh. The Belfast supporters made sure there was a great atmosphere for the main event.”

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24 March 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Lurgan welterweight Stephen Haughian will not be fighting this weekend, following the cancellation of his trip to America. The 25-year-old was pencilled in to a New York card but after several prospective opponents got cold feet Stephen was left without a guaranteed slot.

“I’m disappointed that it fell through after two months of hard training,” lamented Haughian.

“It was Brian Burke’s first show and he had tried to tempt four or five opponents to fight me but when they saw my record [18-1-1] they wanted more money. John will be lobbying the board for a British title fight and an eliminator would be a big step in the right direction for me.

Trainer John Breen will surely be keeping an eye on John O’Donnell’s current situation. Haughian was hoping to meet the Commonwealth champion last year but the bout failed to materialise. O’Donnell’s position has been cast in doubt following the Commonwealth Council’s decision to consider his status as champion.

As for the American excursion, with flight costs and a stringent purse on offer it could have turned out to be an extremely costly trip for Haughian who will now be seeking opportunities closer to home.

“I’m back in the gym and determined not to let all the hard work I’ve put in go to waste,” he added.

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22 March 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Irish super-bantamweight champion Paul Hyland flew out to Paris on March 22 to spar former European bantamweight king Malik Bouziane. Fresh from the finest win of his six-year career Paul is relishing his role as EU champion and hoping for a crack at the European title proper.

Im going over to spar Malik Bouziane in Paris because hes now gearing up for a world title shot, explained the 25-year-old.

Ill be over in France for a week and the experience will do no harm at all, especially coming off the back of a tough 12-rounder.

Bouziane was a solid European holder who has boiled down to super-flyweight for his world title challenge to tough South African Simphiwe Nongqayi. As he waits patiently for a chance, Paul is hoping not to get bogged down in EBU politics.

Im not sure if Rendall Munroe will defend his European super-bantamweight title against Jason Booth or whether he will go for the WBC eliminator. When thats resolved well hopefully get the phone call for a crack at the belt, but Ill keep ticking over until then.

So when can we expect to see the Tallaght native back in action?

Ive had a week off and Ill be ringing my manager soon to see what the story is, he said.

Id love to defend the EU title in Dublin, in front of my home fans.

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21 March 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Irish welterweight champion Stephen Haughian is looking to put a bout of inactivity behind him and reignite a career that has threatened to hit the rocks. An impressive win in New York could be just the tonic for the Lurgan man as he hunts down British or Commonwealth honours.

Theres been about five different names mentioned as my next opponent but the one I think were settled on is Jesse Davis who has a journeymans record but eight of his eleven wins have come by knockout, the 25-year-old told irish-boxing.com.

Ive seen a few of his fights on YouTube and he comes out swinging so it should make for an exciting bout and will hopefully get the ball rolling for me again.

I wasnt inactive through my own choice, added Stephen, but it was just the way things worked out because originally the talk was of a Commonwealth title fight with John ODonnell and after I won the Irish title that was supposed to be my next fight. It fell through though and I heard nothing more about it.

This will hopefully be the year that I push on to bigger things.

Headlining in his native Craigavon last February, a dominating three round blitz of Cork battler Billy Walsh brought home the Irish crown and promised to push Haughian on to a higher stage. A marking-time win in London was followed by a sketchy showing on Bernard Dunnes WBA title defence against Poonsawat in Dublin. Surprisingly floored and generally off the pace, Stephen struggled to a draw on the referees scorecard.

That performance was down to a lack of motivation as I was planning for a title fight and suddenly I was in for a six-rounder which was a bit of a comedown, explained Haughian.

I still thought that Id done enough to win that fight even though I got caught with a stupid shot and was dropped.

Rumours-abound of Haughian defending his coveted domestic strap against gym partner and friend Willie Thompson but the Lurgan man admits talk is premature and sees unbeaten Burnley prospect Chris OBrien as a more viable option.

To be honest theres been no real word in the gym about the Thompson fight, he admitted. The two of us are training together so its not very professional and anything can happen in this game so I put it down to just talk at the moment.

I hear that Chris OBrien is looking to fight for the Irish title as well and even though Id definitely defend my title against him I really want to be pushing for bigger fights after a win in America.

My trainer John Breen is nominating me for the British or Commonwealth title and if we can put some pressure on the board then they might give us an opportunity. If that doesnt come forward and an Irish title defence is on the agenda then Id take it.

For the time being Haughians American adventure, and a chance to improve on his 18-1-1 (8 KOs) record, is all that matters.

Im definitely looking forward to showing the Americans what I have to offer. Theres a big market out there for an Irish boxer so if I can get a good win they will get to know my name. Well take it one fight at a time but if theres a chance of getting more work out there then I will certainly consider it as an option.

My aim is to stay busy, keep motivated and Im convinced the opportunities will come along.

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21 March 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Irish welterweight champion Stephen Haughian is looking to put a bout of inactivity behind him and reignite a career that has threatened to hit the rocks. An impressive win in New York could be just the tonic for the Lurgan man as he hunts down British or Commonwealth honours.

Theres been about five different names mentioned as my next opponent but the one I think were settled on is Jesse Davis who has a journeymans record but eight of his eleven wins have come by knockout, the 25-year-old told irish-boxing.com.

Ive seen a few of his fights on YouTube and he comes out swinging so it should make for an exciting bout and will hopefully get the ball rolling for me again.

I wasnt inactive through my own choice, added Stephen, but it was just the way things worked out because originally the talk was of a Commonwealth title fight with John ODonnell and after I won the Irish title that was supposed to be my next fight. It fell through though and I heard nothing more about it.

This will hopefully be the year that I push on to bigger things.

Headlining in his native Craigavon last February, a dominating three round blitz of Cork battler Billy Walsh brought home the Irish crown and promised to push Haughian on to a higher stage. A marking-time win in London was followed by a sketchy showing on Bernard Dunnes WBA title defence against Poonsawat in Dublin. Surprisingly floored and generally off the pace, Stephen struggled to a draw on the referees scorecard.

That performance was down to a lack of motivation as I was planning for a title fight and suddenly I was in for a six-rounder which was a bit of a comedown, explained Haughian.

I still thought that Id done enough to win that fight even though I got caught with a stupid shot and was dropped.

Rumours-abound of Haughian defending his coveted domestic strap against gym partner and friend Willie Thompson but the Lurgan man admits talk is premature and sees unbeaten Burnley prospect Chris OBrien as a more viable option.

To be honest theres been no real word in the gym about the Thompson fight, he admitted. The two of us are training together so its not very professional and anything can happen in this game so I put it down to just talk at the moment.

I hear that Chris OBrien is looking to fight for the Irish title as well and even though Id definitely defend my title against him I really want to be pushing for bigger fights after a win in America.

My trainer John Breen is nominating me for the British or Commonwealth title and if we can put some pressure on the board then they might give us an opportunity. If that doesnt come forward and an Irish title defence is on the agenda then Id take it.

For the time being Haughians American adventure, and a chance to improve on his 18-1-1 (8 KOs) record, is all that matters.

Im definitely looking forward to showing the Americans what I have to offer. Theres a big market out there for an Irish boxer so if I can get a good win they will get to know my name. Well take it one fight at a time but if theres a chance of getting more work out there then I will certainly consider it as an option.

My aim is to stay busy, keep motivated and Im convinced the opportunities will come along.

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