30 September 2010

Martin Rogan will return to action on the undercard of Willie Caseys European super-bantamweight title challenge against Kiko Martinez in Limerick on November 6.

Inaugural Prizefighter winner and former Commonwealth heavyweight champ Rogan will feature on the card as he bids to bounce back from a career threatening injury.

There are considerable parallels in the careers of Casey and Rogan. Indeed Casey emerged into serious title contention following his Prizefighter win in London earlier this year – the same route travelled by Rogan in a meteoric rise that saw him go on to defeat Audley Harrison before a thrilling KO win over then European and Commonwealth Champ Matt Skelton.

However a serious neck injury and back to back defeats to Sam Sexton defeats have seen Rogan out of the ring for almost a year.

The popular Belfast fighter formerly known as The Entertainer says he will be coming back as The Iron Man and is boldly predicting that he will bring a World Heavyweight title back to Ireland.

Like the old song says, you ain’t seen nothin yet!, said Rogan. I’m back in the gym, 100 per cent healthy and can’t wait to start the second phase of my career in Limerick on November 6. The Entertainer is gone, long live the Iron Man!

I’ll still be providing entertainment of course but I’m calling myself the Iron Man from here on in because I have added steel and resolve now. The time out of the ring has only made me more determined to prove that I have what it takes to bring a World Heavyweight title to Ireland. People said I wouldn’t win the Prizefighter, people said I wouldn’t beat Audley Harrison, people said I wouldn’t beat Matt Skelton but I did all that and trust me that will be nothing compared to what I’m going to do from here on in.

The heavyweight division is a bit of a joke right now. You have a guy in Audley Harrison who I beat almost two years ago taking on David Haye for the World title in November so that tells you everything you need to know about the state of the heavyweights right now but I’m back and I’m going to be their worst nightmare. I won’t rest until I have that World title belt wrapped around my waist.

Rogan says he’s completely recovered from the serious neck injury which came close to ending his career. I first noticed the problem in my neck after the Matt Skelton fight, explained Rogan. You should always listen to you’re body but I ignored it and it just got progressively worse to the point where by the second Sam Sexton fight I was essentially a one armed fighter.

I had the surgery in January and it required a three and a half hour operation called a discectomy fusion to fix the problem. Basically I had a protruding disc from my back which was pressing on the nerves in my neck and causing me to lose all feeling in my arm. It was a serious injury but thank god the surgery went very well and I feel ready to take on the world again.

Paul Hyland, who is chasing a clash with the winner of Martinez Casey, will also be in action on the card.

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29 September 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Irish boxings Golden Boy Jamie Kavanagh is looking to showcase his potential on a Club Nokia up and coming fight night in down town Los Angles on Thursday.

The former amateur standout bids to make it three straight professional wins in a row and more importantly will be out to prove his potential in front the live TV and internet audience.

The Freddie Roach trained and Golden Boy promoted Crumlin native, who speaks fluent Spanish, is starting to catch the attention of the American boxing public and is eager to progress further up the popularity ladder with a win tonight.

Kavanagh, who won silver in the World youth championships and fights on the undercard of Ronny Rios against Leivi Brea, has also been impressing in the talent packed Wild Card gym.

In a gym that boasts the likes of Amir Khan, Irish pro Dean Byrne and none other than the pound for pound the greatest boxer on the planet Manny Pacquiao, Kavanagh has been stand out in sparring.

This is a good welcome back fight for Jamie’s return to the States, Kavanagh’s manager Steve Feder explained. He’s building a good fan base here in Los Angeles and across the country. He’s been making great progress and his sparring has been sensational against the seasoned veterans at Wild Card. He’s been sparring six rounds as we intend to move him up to six rounds shortly.

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28 September 2010

Andy Lee headlines the Fight Night at the Horseshoe boxing series promoted by Hitz Boxing this Saturday night (October 2) at the Venue, Horseshoe Casino, Hammond, Indiana.

Lee laces up his gloves in his 25th outing as a professional, in a 10 round bout against veteran fighter, Troy Lowry from Saint Paul, Minnesota with a record of 27 wins and 10 losses.

The experienced Lowry has been in battles with fighters such as Hector Camacho, Yuri Foreman, Matt Vanda, Anthony Bonsante and Peter Quillan.

Kronk fighter Lee returns to the ring following an impressive 8th round TKO win two weeks ago against the rugged and durable Michael Walker from Chicago.

Lee commented, “It is great to be kept busy. Im ready to fight and cant wait to get in the ring on Saturday night. These fights give me plenty of experience that will stand by me when I step up a level.”

The Irish middleweight took time out of training last week to attend the grand re-opening of the world renowned 5th Street Gym, Miami, Florida. He could not believe his luck, when he had the honor of meeting his boyhood boxing hero Muhammad Ali.

Lee was delighted to meet his idol in person, “It was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a great privilege to be in the presence of Muhammad Ali, he was the Greatest. I always watch tapes of his fights; he had immense talent, beautiful hand speed, co-ordination, agility, power and strength.

“As a person in his lifetime he has touched the lives of so many people in different ways. He is a very giving and caring person with values and principles. He has charm and personality and a wonderful sense of humor. Meeting Muhammad, will be a memory that I will never forget.

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28 September 2010

There will be considerable Irish interest in October 9′s Prizefighter Heavyweights IV – but Emerald Isle stars Kevin McBride and Declan Timlin will have a tough time in claiming the title first held by Belfast’s Martin Rogan.

Matt Skelton and Michael Sprott look favourites to meet in the final of the Sky Sports televised Matchroom event after line-up alterations were announced.

The pair have fought twice previously with Skelton coming out on top on both occasions, and now the withdrawal of three fighters has led to a change in the draw, meaning the old foes are on course for a third showdown in the final.

Sprott will be hoping to gain revenge for those defeats but faces a tough opening encounter with Danny Hughes, who got off the canvas against Audley Harrison in their semi-final of the third edition of the Prizefighter Heavyweights before losing to the eventual winner by unanimous decision.

Danny will be a hard fight, he’s up and coming and he showed heart after getting dropped by Audley last time, said Sprott. If I come through this then who knows what might happen but this is going to be explosive and anything could happen as there’s been some real shocks in Prizefighter in the past so I’m fully focused on my bout with Danny.

Skelton will open the nights action against Londoner Ali Adams, with the victor in that fight facing the winner of the second bout of the night between Kevin McBride, the Irishman who was the last fighter to beat Mike Tyson and Franklin Egobi, the Tooting fighter who replaces Michael Holden.

The winner of the Sprott and Hughes clash will face either unbeaten Irishman Declan Timlin a 7-0 fighter who replaces Carl Baker (damaged shoulder) or Shane McPhilbin, the 24 year-old Nottingham boxer fighting for the fourth time in his career who replaces Chris Burton, who suffered a recurrence of an arm injury during sparring.

PRIZEFIGHTER HEAVYWEIGHTS IV DRAW

Matt Skelton v Ali Adams

Kevin McBride v Franklin Egobi

Michael Sprott v Danny Hughes

Declan Timlin v Shane McPhilbin

VIP and Ringside tickets are sold-out for Prizefighter Heavyweights IV but there are a limited number of unreserved tickets available from Matchroom Sport which can be purchased by calling 01277 359900.

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28 September 2010

While Paul McCloskey will look to defend his European light welterweight title against Scotland’s Barry Morrison at The Aura, Letterkenny on Saturday night, three aspiring new pro’s will be looking to further their professional apprenticeships on the undercard.

Donegal native Michael McLaughlin, Mayo’s Finbarr Eade and Dublin’s Brendan Fitzpatrick will all be in action on the nine fight card.

Carndonagh native McLaughlin will have huge support as he makes his pro debut in his home county and naturally he’s excited about embarking on his new career so close to home. I’ve always wanted to turn professional since I started boxing as a 12 year old so this really is something I’ve been looking forward to for a long, long time, said the 26 year old who will campaign at light welterweight. I’ll have great support there from Carndonagh and I’m really excited about it because I never thought I’d get to make my pro debut so close to home.

McLaughlin won an Irish Intermediate title as an amateur and made the decision to turn professional after being forced to withdraw from this years Senior Championships with injury. I was in Australia for a while but I came back and had planned on giving the Senior’s a good go this year but I got injured and had to pull out so at that point I made the decision to switch to the pros.

Although the first bell is yet to ring on his professional career McLaughlin has already proved his commitment with regular five hour round trips to trainer John Breen’s Gym in Belfast.

It’s not easy but you need to make sacrifices in this game and that’s just one of them. Breen’s Gym is one the best in Europe right now so it’s worth making the trip up there a few times a week because the sparring there is top class with guys like Paul McCloskey and Andy Murray there. All the hard work has been done now so I’m back home this week just ticking over and waiting for that bell to ring on Saturday.

At 35 Westport native Finbarr Eade is something of a late comer to the pro game but with two impressive wins already under his belt the Mayo man is confident that he can make a big impact.

I might not be the youngest pro out there but I would like to think I’m still hungrier than most, said the Phil Sutcliffe trained fighter. People have said that time might be against me but if you look at someone like Willie Casey he’s shown what it’s possible to accomplish in just a short time in the pro’s. He turned pro just two years ago and he’s already getting a European title shot.

Even when I was an amateur I spent time in pro gyms in the US and Australia so it was always in the back of my mind to give the pro game a try. I was out of the sport for a few years but I started training kids at my dad’s club in Westport, the Eagle Boxing Club and I soon found that I was bitten by the boxing bug again.

There’s good opportunities out there in the pro ranks and hopefully if they come my way I’ll be able to grab them with both hands. I broke my hand last year shortly after my debut and that set me back for a bit but the fights are starting to come my way again now and I just want to keep as busy as I can and take whatever chances come my way. I’m confident that if I get the opportunities I can cause a few upsets and I’d love to win an Irish title but for now I just need to concentrate on this weekend.

Dubliner Brendan Fitzpatrick only made his pro debut at the National Stadium earlier this month but following an impressive stoppage win he’s already stepping up to a scheduled six rounder in his second outing. Like McLaughlin the Finglas native is trained by John Breen and the veteran Belfast trainer has been impressed by what he’s seen so far.

Brendan’s a great attitude in the gym, he’s willing to learn and he boxed to instructions in Dublin last month on his debut and got the result he deserved, said Breen.

He won’t be rushed but we won’t hold him back either and if he has to go the 6 rounds on Saturday I’m sure that won’t be a problem for him.

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28 September 2010

Dolphil Promotions have announced the double signing of brothers Paddy (3-0) and JJ (2-1) McDonagh.

Speaking at the official signing Dolphils Daniel Halpin was upbeat about the signings.

Our stable has grown from strength to strength, and these two fighters will certainly bring another dimension, he said. They are very gifted lads and we are happy to welcome them onboard. We see them both (Paddy & JJ) as future Irish Champions and see this as a very positive acquisition for Dolphil Promotions. We are delighted with the deal and believe they will play a large part in the resurgence boxing is currently undergoing in Ireland.

In addition to the McDonaghs Dolphil also guide the careers of Irish super-middleweight champion Anthony Fitzgerald, Irish light heavyweight champion John Waldron, European challenger Willie Casey as well as Finbarr Eade, Gavin Prunty, Darren Cruise and Irelands only female pro Christina McMahon.

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27 September 2010

Scotland’s Barry Morrison is bristling at the suggestion that he is a stepping stone to a World title for reigning European light-welterweight champ, Paul McCloskey.

Morrison challenges for McCloskey’s title this Saturday as European Championship boxing comes to Donegal for the first time on the Hunky Dorys Fight Night at The Aura in Letterkenny.

The bout will be the undefeated McCloskey’s second defence of his continental crown and while the Dungiven southpaw clearly has World title ambitions, Morrison believes that those dreams will go up in smoke after Saturday night.

The pressure is all on McCloskey this weekend, said Morrison. He sees me as a stepping stone to a world title fight and he is in front of his own fans. At the press conference to announce the fight last month he kept being questioned about when he was going to get his world title fight. I was just sitting there and they overlooked me. It’s not a good thing for him to overlook me but I hope he will.”

Indeed the former British Champion believes that he will be the one angling for a World title after Saturday night and he doesn’t have too far to look for inspiration having sparred fellow Scot and recently crowned WBO Super Featherweight Champ, Ricky Burns.

“This is a huge opportunity for me with the possibility of a world title fight if I win, said Morrison. I sparred with Ricky at the start of my camp for this fight and it was at the end of his camp for the World title fight with Roman Martinez and I know that I am not far behind. He’s an inspiration and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. I’ve always worked hard but I’ve had a lot of bad luck in the last few years with illnesses and I just want to crack on. I don’t feel I have fulfilled my potential. Knowing this is my last chance at this level is an extra incentive.”

Morrison’s manager Tommy Gilmour turned up the heat further on McCloskey by accusing the defending champion of being lazy. McCloskey can sometimes be a lazy fighter and if that’s the Paul McCloskey that turns up, and we get the Barry Morrison who destroyed Billy Smith in his last fight, we will certainly come home with the title, said Gilmour. But the dice has to fall for us on the night.”

The Hunky Dorys Fight Night is live on RT TWO’s Pro Box Live from 9:30pm on Saturday with the first live fight of the evening featuring unbeaten Cavan star Andy Murray as he bids to make it 22 straights wins in the pro ranks against Dominican Republic dangerman Johnny Nolasco.

Cork based Cuban duo Alexei The Hurricane Acosta and Luis El Leon Garcia are also in action as they take on Uruguayan’s Cristian Faccio and Jorge Rodriguez Olivera respectively.

Two current Irish Champions also feature with undefeated featherweight Patrick Hyland and reigning heavyweight champ Coleman Barrett taking to the ring while the nine fight card will also include Mayo’s unbeaten super-featherweight Finbarr Eade, Dublin prospect Brendan Fitzpatrick and the professional debut of Donegal’s own Michael McLaughlin.

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22 September 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Paul McCloskey has promoted Barry Morrison from surprise European contender to World champion ahead of their light welterweight European title fight in Letterkenny on October 2.

The talented Derry puncher is taking nothing for granted ahead his continental clash with the former British champion and has put Morrison up on a pedestal he plans to knock him off next Saturday.

Most are of the opinion that Morrison, who is ranked 20 in Europe, shouldnt prove too problematic for the talented McCloskey in a bout that serves more to keep him busy than a stepping stone to a world title shot.

However, McCloskey, who is ranked number four in the world by the WBA and is fast closing in on a world tilt, makes a point of never underestimating his opponent and treats every bout like a world title contest.

I never underestimate an opponent, McCloskey told the Mirror after an open training session in the talent packed Breen Gym on Wednesday. Once you do that, that is when you fall and get beaten. Barry Morrison is a tough opponent. I dont pay attention to people suggesting I am favourite. I have a job to do and I am just focused on doing my job and winning next week. I am training for this fight like it is a World title fight and as if I am in against a World champion. I am in good shape. I feel healthy and I am ready to fight. I just cant wait to get in the ring now, he added before claiming all his focus his second EBU title defence and Scot Morrison rather a potential World title fight.

I cant afford to be thinking about World titles this close to a fight. The European title is my priority at the moment and I have to respect Morrison. But again I am feeling great and going into the ring with no worries.

The last time Irelands most stylish boxer entered the paid circle he was forced to produce a performance that was more thug than thespian. Italian Giuseppe Lauri dragged him into a brawl and despite winning via a sensational knock out and proving he can mix it toe to toe if need be, McCloskey was disappointed with his performance. As a result the Letterkenny crowd might be in for a treat next Saturday.

I am a generally a boxer not fighter and I plan to show that next weekend. This game is all about winning and I won and kept the belt last time out. That is what is important but I do plan to show my skill and put on a show next week.

McCloskeys trainer John Breen is also of the opinion that the Dungiven pro will revert to type much to Morrisons detriment next Saturday night.

Paul was so mad at himself for getting drawn into the wrong kind of fight last time out so I think that’s really fired him up for this fight, said Breen. Sometimes in the heat of the moment you get dragged into a fight. Paul has unbelievable boxing ability but he didn’t show it last time out. He’s learned a lot from that last fight though and it won’t happen again. I honestly think he will break Morrison down and break his heart similar to the way he beat Colin Lynes to win the British title.

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22 September 2010

The Aura Leisure Centre in Letterkenny will be the unlikely setting for a dual Cuba vs Uruguay clash on the undercard of the Hunky Dorys Fight Night on Saturday, October 2.

Fireworks are expected when Irish based Cuban duo, Alexei The Hurricane Acosta and Luis El Leon Garcia take on Uruguayan’s Cristian Faccio and Jorge Rodriguez Olivera respectively.

The clash between Acosta and Faccio was originally supposed to take place in Dublin earlier this month but a late withdrawal by the former world title challenger from South America saw Acosta face Venezuela’s Oscar Chacin instead to record his twelfth straight victory as a professional.

The unbeaten 22-year-old has so far lived up to his name by blowing away all 12 opponents in the pro ranks inside the distance and he is confident of another early night against Faccio who was last seen in an Irish ring in 2008 when he gave Bernard Dunne a hard night’s work before losing on a technical decision in the Dubliner’s last fight before he won the WBA Super Bantamweight title.

Faccio is a good fighter and probably the best I’ve fought in my career so far because of his experience and the fact that he has fought for the World title, said Acosta. He says he is determined to win in Ireland this time, I know he was frustrated when his fight with Dunne ended because of a clash of heads and I have heard that he doesn’t think I am ready for him but we will see on the night.

So far I have not had to rely on the judges in my career but I know that you cannot knock everyone out so I am ready to go the distance if necessary. Faccio has quite a few KO’s on his record too but he can be a bit wild so I will be looking to take advantage of that and make him pay for his mistakes.

Faccio has won 4 of his 5 fights since the reversal to Dunne and he believes that Acosta is biting off more than he can chew by taking on someone of his power and experience.

I have trained so hard for this fight, said Faccio. I thought it was going to happen in September but I had some personal issues to take care off and now I am happy that this fight will finally happen because I know that people are talking about Acosta as being a big prospect and a future World Champion but I will burst his bubble on October 2.

He might have been a World Champion as an amateur but this is professional boxing, it’s a very different sport and he will learn that the hard way. He is too young and too inexperienced but it will be a great name for my record and hopefully put me back on the road to another World title fight.

Acosta’s compatriot Luis Garcia will be looking to extend his perfect professional record to 10 and 0 in Letterkenny when he takes on Jorge Rodriguez Olivera who has won all but one of his 21 pro fights to date. Earlier this week Garcia threw down a challenge to Olympic Gold medallist, James DeGale offering to face the unbeaten British prospect in London on December 11th but the normally loquacious DeGale has remained uncharacteristically tight lipped on the suggestion so far.

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22 September 2010 – Cormac Campbell

Ciaran Healy has told irish-boxing.com that he will fight any opponent for the Irish middleweight, super-middleweight or even light-heavyweight titles.

The Belfast native caused something of an upset in June when he outpointed the then 9-0 Harry Matthews on the undercard of Paul McCloskeys European title defence against Guiseppe Lauri at the Kings Hall. As a result he is more than confident of defeating the best Irish talent irrespective of what weight bouts take place at.

Indeed, 35-year-old Healy – whose 11-15-1 record masks clashes with top class operators including Andy Lee, Jamie Moore, Paul Smith, James DeGale and Anthony Small – has fought for the Irish crown at light-middle, middle and super-middle in the past.

Healy held the light-middleweight belt in 2007, having stopped Lee Murtagh in five rounds. He also holds a 2008 points victory over current light-heavyweight champion John Waldron and as such is confident of repeating the trick.

Indeed, Healy insists that he would be a handful for anybody if afforded suitable preparation time and wants an opportunity of a rematch against super-middleweight champion Anthony Fitzgerald.

(Against Matthews) myself and my trainers knew, he said. I got a call for the fight just over a week out from Tomas Rohan. I said no problem. I think Matchroom were excepting big things from him, but I was training away getting plenty of sparing with Brian Magee, Tommy Tolan and Brian Cusack. I boxed ok that night but I can box better.

Im not getting any younger but I seem to be getting fitter and wiser with age. So Im just looking my opportunity to fight for an Irish title at middleweight, super-middleweight or even light-heavy.

Ive read that Fitz could be fighting Lee Murtagh who I have beaten. He says (middleweight champion) Gary OSullivan is afraid of him. He said after his last fight that he would give me a rematch, but it looks like he is the one who is afraid to fight me.

Fitzgerald defeated Healy on points for the 12st title at the National Stadium in February of this year.

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