31 August 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Paulie Hyland has stolen pole position in the Irish race to fight for the European super bantamweight title, as the EBU revealed Willie Casey is ineligible to challenge for the continental strap.

Ever since Brian Peters explained he would offer either Casey or Hyland a shot at the winner of Kiko Martinez and Arsen Martirosyans EBU title fight-which takes place in Dublin on September 11 – speculation as to which Irish man will get to challenge for the belt once owned by Bernard Dunne has been rife.

And news that Prizfighter winner Casey has been pulled off the upcoming Carl Frampton undercard sparked rumours that the all action Limerick pugilist had won the fight to challenge for the prestigious strap.

But the EBU last week stressed that despite beating EBU Number 9, Emiliano Salvini, in City West in August Big Bang Casey is not ranked in their new top 20 and subsequently is not eligible to fight for an European title.

Irish and EU champion Hyland on the other hand is ranked Number 5 and is a suitable candidate and if things remain as they are he will challenge for the prestigious strap at Caseys expense.

The winner of Kiko Martnez vs Arsen Martirosyan will be allowed to make voluntary defence with a boxer selected among those rated. Paul Hyland will be acceptable challanger as he is EU champion and ranked in the top 20. As concerns Willie Casey, unfortunately at present he is not rated in our most recent ratings and subsequently at present is ineligible to fight for the European title. The ratings were revised on August 12 and Casey hasn’t breached the top 20, an EBU official told the Irish Mirror.

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31 August 2010

European Champion Paul McCloskey and Cavan’s double Irish and former EU Champ Andy Murray share the top spot for the longest unbeaten runs in Irish professional boxing with both men sporting perfect 21-0 pro records stretching back to when they made their debuts at the Kings Hall, Belfast in March of 2005.

And both will fight on the same bill again on the Hunky Dorys Fight Night at The Aura, Letterkenny on Saturday, October 2 when McCloskey defends his title against Scotland’s Barry Morrison – while in the chief support Murray will tackle Johnny Nolasco in a scheduled 10 rounder.

Ahead of the bout Nolasco has warned Murray that he can expect his unbeaten run to be snapped when they clash in Letterkenny and the Dominican Republic dangerman believes that the Cavan fighter has bitten off more than he can chew.

“I don’t know anything about Murray except that he is unbeaten but the reason why he’s unbeaten is that he hasn’t fought anyone on my level yet, claimed Nolasco.

I have been mixing it with the best out there all my career and I’ve ended guys unbeaten records before and that’s what I will be coming to Ireland to do again.

Nolasco sports a record of 18 wins, 4 losses and 4 draws and has been in with some class operators.

His manager Jose Lantigua explained, We live in the era of fighters with impressive, padded records that when it comes down to it often don’t mean anything. Johnny did not have the luxury of that when he turned professional and he was constantly matched the hard way against up and coming prospects. His promoter back then put him against one tough guy after another but he still beat Arturo Quintero (10-0), Israel Perez (8-0), Mario Aguiniga (4-0),Gilberto Sanchez Leon (14-1-1), Ricardo Barajas (22-2-1) and Gabriel Vasquez (7-1). He drew with guys like Israel Perez (8-0), Jesus Vega (9-0-1), Cornelius Lock (9-1) and James Baker (11-1) in their hometowns when in most of those fights he should have been a clear winner.

His defeats have been to good world class fighters like Steven Luevano, Martin Honorio, Jason Litzau and in the case of Honorio and Litzau those defeats were razor thin. People know who Johnny Nolasco is now because of those fights and to be honest it has been tough to get him work because nobody wants to fight him. We had a fight with Marco Antonio Barrera lined up last year for the WBO lightweight title but even a legend like Barrera pulled out when he watched some tape on Johnny and realised what he was up against.

Nolasco just turned 35 last month and he believes that the fight with Murray represents a final opportunity to fulfil the outstanding amateur potential that once saw him marked out as a future world professional champion.

I know that I need a win in this fight to get my career back on track, admitted Nolasco. These last few years have been very frustrating for me because I have had so much bad luck with big fights falling through for reasons totally outside my control. This is my chance to vindicate myself and prove that I still have what it takes to be up there with the best in the world so make no mistake I am coming over to Ireland for just one thing to win. In almost 330 fights as an amateur and pro I have never once been on the canvas and believe me that will not change against Murray. “

Nolasco comes from a boxing family and was one of the Dominican Republic’s best ever amateurs compiling a phenomenal record of 288 wins from his 303 unpaid bouts en route to representing his country at the Olympics.

My family have been steeped in boxing for generations, explained Nolasco. My uncle Pedro Julio Nolasco won a medal at the 1984 Olympics and another uncle of mine, Livio Nolasco fought for the World title as a professional back in the 1970′s while my cousin Lucillo Nolasco was also a well known boxer. I have carried on the family tradition and I enjoyed an excellent amateur career. I went to the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and I won medals at lots of big international competitions including a Silver medal at the Pan-American games.

However a combination of inactivity, injury and bad luck has ensured that John Nolasco has been unable to capture a World title in the professional ranks although that dream looked within touching distance as recently as last year when he was slated to face Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera for the interim WBO lightweight title.

It makes me angry when I think back on all the bad luck I have had recently. I was supposed to fight Barrera for the title and that fell through, then I was scheduled to go to the Philippines to fight Jimrex Jaca and that fell through as well. I thought my luck was changing when I was matched up with the WBC number three Ali Chebah in June but again it fell through due to problems on his side. It’s been such a tough time for me and it’s made me mad as hell and it’s Andy Murray who will have to pay the price for that.”

The Hunky Dorys Fight Night on October 2 also features Dublin’s unbeaten featherweight prospect, Patrick Hyland, reigning Irish heavyweight champ, Coleman Barrett, Cork based Cuban sensations Alexei Acosta, Mike Perez and Luis Garcia, Mayo’s unbeaten super featherweight Finbarr Eade and the professional debut of Donegal’s own Michael McLaughlin.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night priced from E40 go on sale September 1st from Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300, The Aura, Letterkenny: 074 9106422, The Radisson Blu, Letterkenny: 074 9194444, Eurospar, Dungiven: 028 77741245 or Julie, Dungiven: 07745 698372.

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31 August 2010

Martin Lindsay has his eye on two fights in the next few days, but will only be landing his bombs in one of them.

The British featherweight champion (16-0) faces Kenyan southpaw David Kiilu (33-10-2) in a non-title eight rounder at Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton-le-Spring on September 11.

He also has one eye on this Saturdays Commonwealth championship clash between John Simpson and Stephen Smith where the winner will become his mandatory challenger.

Lindsay, 28, said, Simpson v Smith is a very hard fight to call, but I couldnt care less which one I defend my British title against.

I just hope there is someone who has the bottle to share a ring with me for my British crown.

Kiilu looks a good opponent and has more experience than anybody I have ever faced and even won a title at lightweight.

Promoter Frank Maloney added, It is such a headache getting Martin matched up because nobody wants to face him.

Ideally, I would have liked next weeks bout to be a British title defence but nobody wanted to know, although I am sure Simpson or Smith will be keen.

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30 August 2010

Having made the decision to end his own ring career, Jim Rock is now lending a helping hand to another Dubliner, Brendan Fitzpatrick as he prepares to make his pro debut on the Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium on September 11.

The bill features a European title double header with Belfast’s Brian Magee defending his European super-middleweight crown against Roman Aramian while Kiko La Sensacin Martinez also returns to Dublin as he bids to recapture the European Super Bantamweight crown against Arsen Martirosyan.

Fitzpatrick will make his pro bow on the undercard having made the decision to install Rock and veteran Belfast trainer, John Breen as his co-managers and the man who was known as the Pink Panther during his own career says he will be happy to be watching the action from outside the ropes from now on.

My days in the ring are numbered but it’s an exciting time for Brendan making his debut and I’m delighted to be involved with him, said Rock who hung up his gloves having made history by winning Irish titles at four different weights. Rock will be working for RT on the night in his role as expert analyst but he also hopes to be in Fitzpatrick’s corner as he bids to get his pro career off to a winning start.

Brendan’s a tremendously dedicated lad. He’s already making the kind of sacrifices you need to be a success in the pro ranks and he’s living up in Belfast now from Monday to Friday. John’s been very happy with his progress to date and he seems to be adapting very well to the pro game.

I’ve been very impressed with his attitude so far, there are no airs or graces about Brendan, he’s willing to put in the hard work in the gym and he’s entering the professional ranks very much under the radar. He wasn’t a big amateur star so there is no real pressure on him but I’m confident that he will do very well as a pro.

I’m not going to make any bold predictions for him but there is a thriving domestic scene around the super middleweight and light heavyweight divisions right now and I’d like to see him get involved in that mix. There are some great fights out there for him in Ireland and I’m sure that whoever emerges as the leading light from that bunch can go on to make a name for themselves at European level.

An obvious fight a little bit down the road would be between Brendan and Anthony Fitzgerald with two Dubliner’s going at it for the Irish super-middleweight title. I’m a big fan of Anthony’s and I love his ‘fight anybody, anytime’ attitude so I see no reason why that can’t happen once Brendan get’s up and running in the pro ranks.

Fitzpatrick boxed for the West Finglas club throughout his amateur days with the highlight of his unpaid career coming in February of last year when he stepped in at the last minute to take Kenny Egan’s place in a home international against the USA after the Olypmic medallist’s infamous no show for the event.

Despite the short notice Fitzpatrick thrilled the home crowd at the National Stadium that night with a come from behind victory to defeat Siju Shabazz by a single point. That was a great experience, recalled Fitzpatrick. It was nip and tuck but I came from behind in the last round to win it and I know the crowd really enjoyed that one. It was short notice but I was over the moon to get the opportunity.

However Fitzpatrick always fancied a crack at the professional ranks and he believes that the transition from the amateurs will be a relatively smooth one. I talked it through with my amateur trainer Joe Vaughan and decided to give it a go. I know everybody says it when they turn professional but anyone who has seen me box will know that my style is better suited to the pro game. I like to get in there and have a fight and keep the crowd entertained.

I’ve been working on little things with John Breen like using more head movement, slipping and rolling from punches and working on improving my jab and I already feel like I’ve learned an awful lot.

Jim Rock’s been a great help and it’s great to have him on board as a co-manager with John Breen. Jim has good contacts in the game and good influence and I know that the main aim right now is to keep me busy so that I can get as much experience as possible but my first goal would be an Irish title and we will take it from there after that.

There will be further Dublin interest on the the National Stadium card as reigning EU and Irish super bantamweight champion Paul Hyland looks to press his claims for a shot at the winner of the Kiko Martinez Arsen Martirosyan fight while Castleknock prospect Gavin Prunty is also in action alongside the undefeated Cork based Cuban trio of Alexei Acosta, Luis Garcia and Mike Perez.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night priced E40, E75 and E100 are available from Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300 or the National Stadium on 087 2511772, the Ticket Office on 086 8120135 or the boxers on the bill.

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26 August 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym is all out to break Irish hearts for a second time as he joined the ever growing number of fighters eager to fight Kiko Martinez.

The Thai who knocked Bernard Dunne into retirement last September, is willing to put his WBA World title on the line against the Spaniard providing he claims the European title in Dublin next month.

Martinez, who also beat Dublin hero Dunne, was expected to offer either EU and Irish super bantamweight champion Paulie Hyland or Prizefighter winner Willie Casey a coveted EBU shot if, as expected, he defeats Arsen Maritosyan in the National Stadium.

But with fellow banger Kratingdaenggym joining the race to fight the Spaniard, Martinez might elect to challenge for the World title rather than make a voluntary continental defence against either Irish star.

Kratingdaenggym also stated if either of the Irish stars were ranked high enough he would be willing to offer them a chance to win the belt that once sat proudly around the waste of Bernard Dunne.

I would like to fight Kiko Martinez, Kratingdaenggym exclusively told the Irish Mirror.

We have both defeated Bernard Dunne and I believe It would make a great fight. I heard Martinez has said he wants to fight me. I will listen to all challengers and I am open to fighting Kiko. If Kiko was to get the EBU title maybe he would have the confidence to challenge for the World title instead of defending his EBU belt, he added before discussing the Irish fighters.

I dont know much about either Hyland or Casey but as I said I’m ready to fight anybody in the world as I am confident of beating anyone. Last year when I went to fight in Ireland the Thai community there and also the Irish people gave me a very warm welcome. I really would love to go fight there again. But Hyland and Casey would have to be ranked and the offer would have to be right. I would have no problem fighting Bernard Dunne again too and I hope he is well.

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26 August 2010

European light-welterweight champion Paul McCloksey will take time out of his training schedule for his title defence against Barry Morrison in Letterkenny on Saturday, October 2 by defending another one of his titles on August 28.

The undefeated southpaw will take to the roads in the annual Dungiven 10k charity run. McCloskey was first past the finish line in last years event in a time of 38 minutes and he’s hoping to retain his title at the weekend with hundreds of other competitors expected to line up on the starting line.

The event is being organised by Eurospar Dungiven and will see three local charities benefiting with the proceeds going to Drumboghill Community Association, Glenshane Care and Hand’s That Talk.

The event is open to all comers with a number of professional athletes expected to compete while boxing will also be represented by members of Northern Ireland’s Commonwealth boxing team including team captain and European medallist, Eamon O’Kane and Belfast’s European Gold and Olympic Bronze medallist Paddy Barnes.

The race begins at 12 noon on Saturday and participants can register up until 11:45am on Saturday morning at Dungiven Community Hall. There will also be a shorter distance fun run and walk for those looking to enjoy the day at a more sedate pace with family entertainment including a BBQ, karaoke, bouncy castle, face painting and children’s entertainers in the grounds of Dungiven Castle until 5pm.

McCloskey will use the race as part of preparations in the build up to his title European title defence in Letterkenny on a bill that will also feature unbeaten Cavan star Andy Murray taking a step up in class as he takes on Johnny Nolasco from the Dominican Republic in an International ten round contest.

The bill also features Dublin’s unbeaten featherweight prospect, Patrick Hyland, reigning Irish Heavyweight Champ, Coleman Barrett, Cork based Cuban sensations Alexei Acosta, Mike Perez and Luis Garcia, Mayo’s unbeaten Super Featherweight Finbarr Eade and the professional debut of Donegal’s own Michael McLoughlin.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night priced from E40 go on sale from 9am on Wednesday, September 1 from Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300, The Aura, Letterkenny: 074 9106422, The Radisson Blu, Letterkenny: 074 9194444, Eurospar, Dungiven: 028 77741245 or Julie, Dungiven: 07745 698372.

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26 August 2010

British featherweight champion Martin Lindsay, 16-0, will face David Kiilu in an eight rounder on September 11 on the undercard of Jason Booth’s challenge to IBF champion Steve Molitor.

Kiilu, 37, has won his last three fights by stoppage and is a dangerous puncher with 19 wins inside the distance in an overall record of 33-10-2.

The Kenyan is no stranger to Britain having suffered defeat at the hands of Nicky Cook, Choi Tseveenpurev and Rendall Munroe in 2004.

The fight will represent the first time Lindsay has faced a southpaw since turning professional six years ago.

I haven’t boxed any as a professional yet but I have boxed a few in the amateurs, he said.

Some of them can be very awkward and can make you look a bit clumsy but at the end of the day you have to expect things like that and you just have to keep your head down and stay focused, try and get your shots off and not be worried about him.

After an impressive title defence against Welshman Jamie Arthur in March, Lindsay finds himself in the mix for a shot at European honours, something that both the fighter and promoter Frank Maloney believe is the next step on the ladder.

The EBU have me ranked number one so sometime in the not too distant future I want to be challenging for the European title.

A British-Commonwealth clash could also be on the cards according to promoter Frank Maloney.

Steven Smith and John Simpson fight on September 4 and Martin will box the winner of that with the purse bids ordered by BBBofC for next week. After that we will be looking for the European crown, Maloney said.

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26 August 2010

Cork boxing manager Gary Hyde has announced the signing of British amateur standout Mark Heffron.

Hyde also manages two time Olympic gold medallist Guillermo Rigondeaux and EU super middleweight champion Lolenga Mock.

Im excited to sign Mark Heffron, Hyde said. Freddie Roach told me this kids a huge talent and he advised me to sign him. Our plan is to keep him busy, starting with his pro debut September 5 in Wolverhampton and then, hopefully, five more fights before this year is out.

The 18-year-old Heffron fights out of Manchester. He captured a gold medal at the Junior ABA Championships and silver at the European Youth Championships.

Through Garys connections, Ive already met Freddie Roach and trained with some of his fighters at the Wild Card Gym. I cant wait to make my pro debut September 5, Heffron said.

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26 August 2010 – Cormac Campbell

Carl Frampton is leaving no stone unturned as he continues his preparation for September 18s Setanta televised clash with Yuriy Voronin.

Ahead of the Barry McGuigan promoted bill at the Ulster Hall, Belfasts hottest prospect has been in Scotland for a week of intensive sparring sessions with Commonwealth featherweight champion John Simpson. And super-bantamweight Frampton believes that working with the heavier Scotsman is making him a more complete fighter.

He is a real throwback, Frampton said.

He is relentless so he is pushing me for every minute in there. He is forcing me to defend to the body better but when he has caught me he hasnt stunned me.

Perhaps the biggest question Frampton must answer on September 18 is the quality of his chin. Voronin had former World super-bantamweight champion Bernard Dunne in serious trouble when they fought in 2005, but Frampton believes he will be able to shake off the Ukrainians best shots.

Ive always known I have a good chin and Ive been in with Choi Tseveenpurev one of the biggest punchers on the scene and he didnt stun or stagger me.

Yuriy hurt Bernard when they fought. We all know how good Bernard was and what he achieved, but maybe his chin was his weak spot. Obviously Im not going to leave my chin hanging out to be hit, but I believe I can take his best shots and fire straight back.

By topping a bill in just his seventh pro outing, Frampton has raised eyebrows and the level of pressure on his young shoulders.

There will be doubters. After all, what entitles me to top a bill at the Ulster Hall so early in my career? I know I have to put on a show or people wont come back. But I believe I have the ability. I know I have a good chin and I also have a good engine so I think I will put on a good show against Voronin.

Frampton also believes the quality of the Ulster Hall undercard which features Jamie Conlan, Stephen Haughian, Ryan Greene, Chris Keane and Troy James explains why the bill is nearly sold out three weeks away from fight night.

There are some great fights on there. Nobody is going to have an easy night and that is the way it should be thats how to keep the fans coming back for more.

As part of the build up to the bill, promoter Barry McGuigan will appear on Setanta Irelands iTalk Sport show with Eoin McDevitt on Friday, August 27 at 10pm.

A limited number of ticket are still available, priced 55, 45, 35 and 30 from the Box Office on 028 90334455. For more information log on to www.ulsterhall.co.uk.

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26 August 2010

Anthony Fitzgerald has his sights firmly locked on his old adversary Robbie Long, with whom he locks horns for the third time in the National Stadium on September 11.

Fitzy will be looking to make it eight wins on the trot, at the same venue where he claimed his Irish title six months ago.

It should be a great night of boxing, with two European fights and my own title on the line with Robbie. Im feeling great to be honest as many probably saw with my performance against Phil Townley, he said.

I took this fight for the fans and the fans only, theyve been calling for this fight since – well since the last time we fought really but I think this time it will be a little more one-sided then theyre hoping for. Training for me has been intense but its worth it, I felt I was just getting into my stride (vs Townley) – and the final bell went, I felt like another six rounds would have been a breeze.

For The Pride this fight is yet another stepping stone on his path to a European shot but its another Irish scalp that Fitzy has plans for after his final fight in the Fitzy-Long trilogy.

I want John Duddy, I think its a fight that would pack out a venue firstly but I also want it because its a fight I think I can win. Hes looking to bounce back after his loss to Chavez and he hasnt fought here in three or four years so John Duddy if you think you can beat me lets get the fight on.

With Spike OSullivan now having turned his attention to fights in the UK, the Irish Middleweight title may be an option for a potential clash between Fitzgerald and Duddy.

Dolphil Promotions Head Coach, Phil Sutcliffe has every bit of confidence in his charges ability.

If John was interested in this fight of course wed take it, Anthonys attitude in the gym has impressed me so much theres few fighters out there I wouldnt put him in with. Duddy wouldnt be one of them, I think Fitzys style and power would cause a big upset but lets see if it happens, he said.

For now Fitzgerald it treating the Long fight as if it was the third European Title fight on the night, If that happens great, now Im focused on beating Long and beating him well, he said.

I dont want any calls for a rematch after this one. Im training harder then ever so after this fight Im going to kick on and chase the big boys in the European division.

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