31 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Carl Frampton’s nemesis Scott Quigg believes the only way to settle the dispute as to who is the hottest super bantamweight prospect in Europe is by trading real and not verbal blows.

Debate has raged in recent months as to which of the stars in the making will eventually shine brightest and Frampton has claimed he would be confident of emerging victorious if the pair clashed tomorrow.

But the much hyped 22 year old English pro is eager to do his talking in the ring and wants settle the issue in his favour in a British title fight with the Belfast star in 2011.

The Ricky Hatton promoted Quigg will challenge for the domestic strap early in the year and revealed if he emerges victorious he will give Barry McGuigans protg the chance to unbuckle the belt from his waist.

And despite the fact Frampton has outshone him by stopping common opponents Gavin Reid and Yuriy Voronin in quicker and more emphatic fashion, he is confident of defeating Irish boxings prospect of the year.

I am very aware of Carls progress. I know he is saying he would be confident of beating me, but he got to be confident hes a boxer. In a boxers eyes no one can beat you. However if I fought him tomorrow I would be confident I would win, Quigg told Mirror Sport.

He did take two common opponents out quicker than me, but that means nothing. When I was told to take them out I did. People can debate as to who they think is the best prospect, but talk means nothing. At the end of the day what matters is what we do in the ring.

Sooner or later we are going to meet and that is when everybody really finds out who is the best. At the minute I am next in line for the British title so that is were my immediate focus is. Once I have got that belt then I would be more than happy to fight in a big fight against Carl. That would draw a lot of attention and one the fans would love. I plan to win British title and European belts in 2011 and prove I am the best domestically.

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31 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

The Irish welterweight tipped by Freddie Roach to become a world champion is considering leaving the Wild Card gym to emulate Bernard Dunnes success in a permanent return to Ireland.

Dean Byrne is free to free to talk to promoters and is weighing up a number of options before deciding the what boxing path to follow in 2011.

The owner of a 14 fight undefeated record is confident he can become Irish boxings next big star but is currently looking for the backing of a promoter.

However whist the fighter, who regularly spars Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao, long-term future is murky he sees an Irish title shot on the immediate horizon.

I am number one for the Irish title so that is my first priority, Byrne told Irish-boxing.com.

I am not too sure what I am going to do at the minute but I am staying in shape so when I make up my mind I will be ready. If I do choose to come home I would like to do what Bernard Dunne did.

I am free to talk to promoters and I have spoken to a couple already. I am just looking for the right one that suits me best. One that can get be hind me so I can be the next star in Ireland and the UK.

I am going stay busy in 2011 that is the main thing now. I am 14 fights undefeated now. I want to fight with the best of them. My time is coming and I am confident I can make it to the top. I am going to let my fists do the talking.

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31 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Ian Tims plans to up his weight slightly for 2011 but significantly increase his work rate in the coming year.

The former Irish heavyweight amateur champion will permanently bulk up from a professional light heavy-weight to cruiserweight and wants to swap a 12 month period of inactivity for a an action packed year.

The former St Matthews amateur, who will be happy with the few extra Christmas pounds, suffered an enforced period of inactivity and didnt fight in 2010, but will make a long overdue return to ring in Dolphils City West show on January 30.

The tough Clondalkin slugger claims his January bout will be one of an abundance of 2011 clashes and sang from the anyone, anywhere, anytime hymn sheet when speaking to Mirror Sport this week.

Timsey also stated he remains interested in fighting Michael The Storm Sweeney and earmarked March for that eagerly anticipated bout.

This year is going to be a very big year for me. I will fight anyone and hope to get as many fights as I can over the next 12 months. I have no problem travelling. I will go any were to get a fight. Any fighters that are looking to challenge cruiserweight they just have to give me a call. I am ready and waiting.

I am fighting at cruiserweight for good now. I am looking to fight Sweeney around March. I got injured last year just before we were supposed to fight and it ruled me out for the rest of the year. That so was a big disappointment but 2011 will be a good year for me.

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31 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Anthony Fitzgerald claims his punch power and not an accidental cut will ensure an early night when he rematches Lee Murtagh on top of the first Irish bill of the New Year in City West on January 30.

The recently crowned WBF Intercontinental middleweight champions eagerly awaited grudge clash against the English based Belfast pro was ruled a no contest after a savage unintentional cut to Murtaghs head last November.

But Fitzgerald, whose New Years resolution is to become as renowned as John Duddy and Andy Lee, is adamant he will be sole master of his opponents downfall this time round.

Fitzy said he will enforce a nightmare early ending for Murtagh in the cursed Irish middleweight title fight on a bill that will also see the return of former European title challenger Paulie Hyland.

I dont think it will last three rounds, The Pride told Mirror Sport. I was delighted to hear the fight was confirmed because after the last fight I was very disappointed. I knew I would have stopped him in the next round of that first bout. I am really looking forward to 2011 as Dolphil have big plans for me.

Murtagh, who was so desperate to challenge the inner city Dub for the strap on the undercard of Willie Casey’s and Hyland’s historic EBU clash he paid his own way before paying the ultimate price for getting caught with an elbow, said news of the return was the best Christmas present Santa delivered.

The Leeds based former two weight British Central Area champion is desperate to buckle the Irish title around his waist having had one failed attempt against Ciaran Healy in 2007.

Sean Mannion contacted me to say I was fighting Fitzgerald and that made my Christmas to be honest. I am very confident of beating Fitzgerald, but I expected a rough fight. As for bad blood, there was plenty shooting out of my head last time, but no bad blood between us.

He talks a lot and makes a lot of noise but I don’t take it personally. The Irish title is my life there is nothing else that I want not even an alphabet world title. I can’t wait to box in Dublin I love the place the people are great.

Hyland, Ian Tims, JJ McDonnagh, Paddy Mc Donnagh, Gavin Prunty, Alan Donellen, Finbarr Eade and Paddy Ward make up the action packed card as Dolphil promotions start what promises to be a historic Irish boxing 2011 in dramatic fashion.

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31 December 2010

The first batch of early-bird tickets for Willie Caseys March 19 World title fight with Guillermo Rigondeaux have sold out.

European champion Casey meets WBA champion Rigondeaux at Citywest Convention Centre and promoters Dolphil are expecting a full house.

Interestingly Bernard Dunne won the same title against Ricardo Cordoba at the O2 two years ago on the day that Ireland won the Six Nations rugby championship. For his part, Rigondeaux won the title by also beating Panamanian Cordoba and this time around Ireland will be squaring off against England in rugby on the same day.

We released close to a thousand tickets a week ago and they are now completely sold out, said promoter Don OLeary.

We knew there would be interest but this is phenomenal support hes getting. People see this as one of very few good news stories out there and that is mirrored by the amount of tickets sold in the last month.

The three remaining blocks of tickets will go on sale early in the New Year. Despite going into the fight as a considerable underdog, Casey is confident of springing an upset.

This is why I turned professional, I want to be fighting the best there is out there and Rigondeaux is one of the best, he said.

I am delighted with all these opportunities that Im getting and Im humbled by the support that Im receiving. There are a lot of super-bantamweights that are avoiding this fella but not me. He has what I want so why wouldnt I fight him?

Casey also had a few words for Kiko Martinez, who had been scheduled to fight the Limerick man in a European title defence, which has now been put on ice.

Kiko shouldnt be worried, when I win this title Ill be looking at him for my first defence.

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27 December 2010 – Alex Gulrajani

Brian Magee will finally get a shot at a world title next year when he goes glove-to-glove with IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute in Canada.

The former British and European champion will face the undefeated Romanian on March 19 in Montreal and is delighted with the outcome following the collapse of negotiations with WBA holder Dimitry Sartison.

I couldnt ask for a better situation at a better time, he said.

To fight the best in the world, just after St Patricks Day in Montreal, is a dream come true. To be involved in one of the biggest fights of the year is just great.

The 30-year-old will be a tough opponent five out of his six defences have all finished inside the distance but Magee is determined to crown his career with world recognition.

Im always confident going into a fight. Bute has a good record I have one myself but at the end of the day, hes just a man like me. Ive only got one real defeat on my record to Carl Froch and look what hes doing now!

Ive turned things around since that defeat and managed to get back to where I believe I should be. Ive got to make the most of it while Im here and Im enjoying it. Because of all the hard things Ive had to go through, I appreciate it a lot more.

Januarys fight with Mads Larsen meant Christmas was cancelled in the Magee household last year and with a world title fight in March, the party season is well and truly over for this year as well.

It s all work, work, work at the moment but Ill still enjoy Christmas Day this year I think Ill squeeze in a dinner this year! Ive been ticking over in training with my fitness classes and Im in a great position to start training for the fight.

Within the super middleweight world, all the talk across the water has been the rise to prominence of Englands James DeGale.

Since turning professional following success at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, there was talk of the British super-middleweight champion having his eyes on Magees European belt but the Lisburn man has bigger sights in mind.

They all ask to fight you when they know theres no chance of getting it, especially the young guys coming through. Itll never happen now with me vacating the European belt and yet theyre still calling for fights with me for the title – its just noise to get themselves publicity, Magee said.

Theyre jumping on my bandwagon, especially the likes of DeGale. When I met him, he never mentioned he wanted to fight me so thats the way I see if they cant say it to your face then its all white noise to me.

Id love to fight Carl Froch again hes done amazing. It shows what a good fighter he was when I fought him. It would be a massive fight it would be a dream fight as well and would be even better than this fight if he goes on to win the Super Six [a unification tournament of the WBC and WBA super-middleweight belts].

But for the time being, becoming a world champion is Magees main target and hopefully becoming another in a long line of Irish boxing greats.

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27 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Brain Magee isnt worried by the fact the biggest fight of his life has come in the twilight of his career because he believes his star quality is shinning brighter than ever at present.

The 35 year old will finally get the chance to dine at the top table taking on the best super-middleweight in his division Lucian Bute in Canada on March 19.

And the Belfast native thinks his world title shot couldnt come at a better time revealing he could have been devoured fighting at the highest possible level just two years ago.

The former British and European champion stressed his boxing ability and stock has doubled since he lost to the last super star name he faced, Carl Froch and he is now ready grab his chance of life time.

Magee, who passed up a shot at the much less revered and feared WBA champ Dimitri Sartisan, is confident of claiming the IBF World crown just as he did the Continental equivalent by upsetting the odds on the road.

The four time Irish amateur champion stopped Mad Larson in Denmark late last year and is hoping to upset the boxing apple cart in similar fashion in Canada come March.

It has been a long hard road to get to this point. I have had ups and downs along the way. But getting the chance now is perfect because even two or three years ago I dont think I would have been ready, Magee said.

I have the chance of a lifetime to fight the best super-middleweight in the world at the time when I am in the best shape of my life. He’s the golden boy of my division. He’s making the biggest money. This is one fight everybody would jump at. He’s such a big star, he sells out shows all the time there so this is a great opportunity for me; I’m very happy. I am more of a real fighter now and I am ready to grab the title. Bute is a much tougher opponent than Sartisan but it is such a bigger fight and a bigger payday. Not many Irish fighters have the chance to fight the best fighter in their division.

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27 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Kiko Martinez has told Willie Casey that he can forget about trying to re-reign as Continental ring king if his March bid for World dominance is unsuccessful.

La Sensacions camp have made a sensational second attack on team Casey after hearing rumours the inspirational Limerick native choose a WBA interim world title bout with Guillermo Rigondeaux in favour of a European defence against fellow banger, Martinez, in the belief, that if unsuccessful against the Cuban at the top tier they could easily make the transition back to EBU level.

However, Joe Forbes of camp Martinez exclusively revealed to Mirror Sport that if Mini Tyson wins the prestigious title for the third time Big Bang will not be considered as a potential opponent.

The Spaniard, who turned a raucous Point into a morgue within just 86 seconds when he defeated Bernard Dunne in 2007, is adamant he will similarly kill off Caseys European dreams, but by delivering a knock out blow outside the ring.

Knowing as we do that Willie is running from Kiko, the world title fight could be a good decision on his teams part. But the main thing is if Willie loses and thinks he is going to fight Kiko after we win the vacant title he is mistaken. Willie would be the last person we would give a chance to, Forbes explained.

As I have said before Willie was given a golden opportunity, by the Kiko Martinez camp and we did it on condition that the winner would fight Kiko, but obviously giving your word is not enough for some people, he added before belittling 11 fight perennial odds beater Caseys amazing world challenge.

The WBA interim title is a title like all the others intercontinental titles if you are not good enough to win a proper world title you go for them. At the end of the day they mean nothing and you might as well go to Primark and buy one. That would cost you less. The Cuban might have been a good amateur but it does not always relate and even then I think he might be too good for Willie.

Meanwhile Caseys advisors claim no Martinez fear factor has them running scared in the direction of the man regarded as the best amateur that ever lived. Coach Phil Sutcliffe stressed it is the Prizefighter winners bravery and hunger for a challenge that encouraged them to upgrade to world level.

Willie Casey has never runaway from any fighter and his career to date is testament to that fact, Sutcliffe said.

Willie will rise to any challenge put in front of him and that is why his is taking this fight. He has this opportunity because he delivers every time and we believe he will rise to this task as well. It is regrettable that we are not fulfilling our obligation to Kiko, but he and his management should understand that fighting for a world title versus European honours are worlds apart and we are going to grasp this opportunity with both hands, Sutcliffe explained as the verbal sparring continued.

Furthermore Rigondeauxs manager Gary Hyde believes if anyone has fighting fears its Martinez. The Cork native claims the Spaniard, who is now in Paulie Hyland and Carl Framptons sights, turned down a lucrative offer to fight the Cuban.

I contacted Pat Magee in March 2010 about a fight between Rigondeaux and Martinez. Pat contacted Alberto Gonzalez (Martinez manager) and they said no way where they getting inside a ring with Rigondeaux. I even doubled the purse offer to 20,000 plus expenses for a six rounder and he said no way, that Rigondeaux is far too dangerous. Its laughable whats being said here, it sounds more to me like sour grapes.”

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22 December 2010

Willie Caseys coach Phil Sutcliffe believes his charge has the tools to rip the WBA super-bantamweight title away from Guillermo Rigondeaux.

European champion Casey will go to City West in March as a massive underdog against the former amateur superstar, but Sutcliffe believes that Casey will find a way to win.

Of course we are confident in causing an upset, thats why we took the fight, I believe Willie has the tools to beat Rigondeaux, he said.

We know all about Rigo, two Olympic Golds, two World Championships and now a World Title so he is the real deal. I still think Willie can do it, hes one of the hardest hitters in the world at his weight, its going to be a fantastic fight.

Freddie Roach recently suggested that Rigondeaux would take Rafael Marquez and Israel Vazquez if the fights came his way but the Cuban standout could also be another scalp on the growing list of shock victories on Caseys record.

People certainly took note when the Limerick southpaw won the Prizefighter tournament earlier in the year, when he lifted the European Title he silenced a lot of his critics and now Dolphil Promotions are urging the country to believe in Willie and get behind him 100 per cent for the fight.

We hope the country gets behind Willie, We know demand will be high for this but at the same time we know that these are tough times so we have decided to keep the tickets the same price as Collins V Eubank back in 1995, said Daniel Halpin of Dolphil Promotions.

Tickets are now available from ticketgroup.ie.

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22 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

Martin Lindsay will get the chance to avenge his sole career defeat, win back the British featherweight title and get back on European and World title track after agreeing to a rematch with John Simpson.

Super Simmo, who ripped the domestic title from Lindsays grasp via a career best performance in a thrilling bout last week, will return to the lions den and face the Mac Man in the first week of March after striking a lucrative deal with Frank Maloney.

The 27 year old Scots manager Alex Morrison is confident champion Simpson will not be uncrowned in the Kings Hall hosted bout and believes his fighter can go on and hijack Lindsays continental and world title dreams.

The Glasgow fight boss revealed: “We have already agreed terms for John to give Lindsay a rematch in the first week of March, if he wants it. John was all for it when he heard what he is getting for making a first defence back in Belfast because he’s on really good money.

“Maloney was so confident that Lindsay would win he had already booked the King’s Hall for his next two defences.

“I am personally very confident that John will do the same to Lindsay again after he produced one of the best performances I have seen from a Scottish fighter. He could have won even more convincingly had he not let Lindsay off the hook a couple of times.

“I’d hope that he would fight for the European and maybe a world title beyond Lindsay.

Simpson himself is still beaming after his shock victory. He believes he hurt his Ulster opponent on numerous occasions throughout the fight and would have no qualms of fighting in front of Lindsays partisan support again.

“I fought as well as I knew I was capable of doing and performed the way I do in the gym. Lindsay didn’t want to know after I hurt him early on and even though he started to come forward more in the eighth round I was too sharp for him.

“I caught him several times with rights over the top and left hooks to the body and I could see those shots had hurt him. After what happened to Paul Appleby in Belfast when I think he was intimidated by the crowd, it made it an even bigger fight for me. To have gone there and taken the title off a really good boxer in his own backyard makes me very proud. It was definitely the best win of my career.”

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