31 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Dolphil and Nowere2Hyde promotions both claim RTE are letting the people of Ireland down by refusing to broadcast the biggest fight the country has seen since Bernard Dunne retired.

It was revealed at the press conference to officially announce Willie Casey’s bid to dethrone WBA world interim champion Guillermo Rigondeaux yesterday that the mouth watering clash will not be shown on terrestrial TV.

Sky Sports and Eurosport are leading the race to win the rights for the March 19 world title fight, but both camps claimed they would prefer if the whole of Ireland could tune in to support Big Bang Casey.

Public service broadcaster RTE cant afford to air the eagerly anticipated tactician versus brawler showdown despite being offered the card for free.

And Rigondeauxs manager Gary Hyde claims if they show any other boxing over the next 12 people they National Broadcasters will have serious questions to answer.

RTE have been offered the fight for free. We are not just here to make money both camps are involved in boxing at every level and we want to promote the game across the country. Willie Casey is a massive name in Ireland now and you cant a bigger fight the a world title bout. Rigondeaux is the biggest star since Sugar Ray Leonard to fight here. The people deserve to get the chance to see it, Hyde said at yesterdays press conference.

This fight will be a war, believe me and one the people will love. If RTE dont show this fight and show any other boxing over the next 12 months they will have a lot to answer for. This is the biggest fight in Ireland this year and it is free for them. I hope people get onto RTE and they are pressured into taking the fight.

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31 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

WBA interim World title Guillermo Rigondeaux has warned Wille Casey that their head to head in Thomond Park yesterday is the closest the Limerick native will ever get to the Cuban sensation.

The two time Olympic gold medallist was present at the home of Munster rugby as the duos March 19 City West world title clash was officially announced and all but said the only way Casey could beat him was to employ the tackling tactics more akin to the stadium and Paul OConnell and Co..

The man renowned as the greatest amateur of all time claims his class, movement and evasive style will ensure Casey wont get to chance to strike in the eagerly anticipated world title fight.

However, despite claiming he will defuse Caseys Big Bang the 30 year old Cuban, who previously stated Casey wasn’t a worthy adversary, is still promising fireworks, predicting he will land Cuban missiles on a regular basis.

I dont want to give to many details about my game plan, The Irish managed star said at the press conference. But I am hard to hit and Willie wont land a punch on me. I can also land big punches too. I have wicked power and you will see that on the night. It will be a great night.

I have over 400 fights and I have won ever and medal available at amateur level. There is nothing Willie can bring that I havent seen. I am a road warrior. I have been to every country and won. I can adapt my style to beat anyone and I will do that against Willie Casey.

Rigondeaux, whose wife and child still reside in Cuba, believes boxing is more about brains than brawn and stressed his calm approach will ensure the strategist will over come the brawler come March 19.

You think boxing is about strength and that it is brutal, but it is a thinking mans game. The fighter who uses his head wins. I am never nervous getting into the ring. Before all my bouts including this one my opponent has been shouting about what they are going to do to me. But I just wait for the bell and get to work then. I am confident, calm and collective in the ring. Fighting is as natural as drinking a glass of water for me. Ricardo Cordoba told me before I won the belt to get ready for action after the sixth round, but I didnt see him from the first to till the last bell and I took the belt.

The Top Rank promoted Cuban, whose manager Gary Hyde predicts will one day be renowned as one of the greatest ever, is confident the belt that once sat around Bernard Dunnes waist will only be making a temporary trip to Ireland on its latest visit.

Two champions came over here in recent times and left their belt behind. I can assure you that wont happen this time round. I know the fans and the country will be behind Willie, but again I have dealt with all that before. I will silence the crowd early on and go on to win.

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31 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Willie Casey plans to prove that will can win out over skill when he challenges Guillermo Rigondeaux for his WBA super bantamweight world title in City West on March 19.

The Limerick native, who went eye ball to eye ball with the Cuban amateur sensation in Thomond Park yesterday, is currently a massive underdog ahead of the much hyped showdown.

Big Bang, however has odds defying previous and has warned the man regarded as one of the best amateurs to ever compete, that fighting without the vest and head gear is much tougher.

Irish boxings Cinderella man, who was advised by co promoter Don OLeary to pay heed to the Munster rugby teams Stand and Deliver motto, claims he will do his utmost to complete his sensational rise from boxing rags to riches.

Casey(11-0), who like Rigondeaux (7-0) is a relative pro-novice, wants to ensure the title Bernard Dunne took off Ricardo Cordoba will make Ireland its home once more.

I am honoured to be challenging for this title and to be following in the footsteps of Bernard Dunne and all the other Irish world title challengers. Rigondeaux is a great fighter a brilliant amateur and he has done well to win the world title in just seven fights. But as they say you can take the fighter out of the amateurs but you cant take the amateur out of the boxer, Casey said of the mouth-watering fight.

I will train as hard as I can to keep this belt in Ireland. We have to be wary of Rigo, he is a class operator and a very skilful boxer. But this isnt the amateurs skill isnt everything here. I will show him what its like to be in a fight and I will never give up. Fight and determination count for a lot in boxing and I have lots of that. I will keeping coming and after the sixth round hopefully we can do some damage.

Over 3000 tickets for the fight have already been sold and the remaining 1200 are available from www.ticketgroup.ie or any X-tra Vision store from today on.

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31 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Ian Tims has labeled his March 19 Irish title fight with Michael The Storm Sweeney as nothing but a warm up for a shut up Darren Corbett mission.

Tims, who took less than six minutes to see off the challenge of Hungarian Viktor Szalai in his first fight in 12 months last weekend, plans to buckle the Irish Cruiserweight title around his waist in his next outing before making Corbett eat his words later in the year.

The Tank is so confident he can weather The Storms best on the under card of Willie Caseys world title tilt in the Spring that he has belittled what is easily the biggest fight of his pro career.

The Clondalkin native, who has the chance to add the Cruiserweight crown to his four amateur heavyweight titles, is so sure he will dispatch Mayo man Sweeney that he has already set his sights on sending Belfast veteran back to the retirement home.

Tims, who looked controlled, patient and powerful on his return from his enforced sabbatical, removed the boxing cobwebs with his win on Dolphils Sunday matinee show and is now planning to weave a destructive Cruiserweight web over the next 12months.

That was a nice way to comeback after a time out, Tims told the www.irish-boxing.com after his recent win. I just nice to practice shots. I felt composed out there and relaxed. I can feel the difference in the punching power at this weight. I am happy with the performance and now I will get ready for the big ones coming up. Michael Sweeney was meant to fight the lad I fought today but he saw his record and pulled out. I have a verbal agreement to fight Michael next and he seems up for it. That would be a great fight on a great night. the Pascal Collins trained fighter, who seems intent on dramatising the domestic Cruiserweight division, added before sending verbal blows Sweeney and Corbetts way.

Michael will prove a nice warm up for me before I fight Darren Corbett. Corbett is shouting his mouth off all of a sudden. He is just a big mouth. They must have let him out of the old folks home for an hour. I will put him back there when I am finished with Michael Sweeney. I am making my way up to Belfast to beat him and shut him up after March 19. I will beat those two then clean up the domestic scene and then take a step up.

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31 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Oisin Fagan believes like a fine wine he is getting better with age.

However the former Irish champion doesnt want to hang around on the shelf for much longer and plans to go back into a retirement with a big send off bout.

Fagan re-laced his gloves after a 10 month lay off and produced one of his best performances to defeat Jevenjis Fjordovs in City West on Sunday and is now looking for a meaningful showdown before riding of into the boxing sunset.

The former Irish and Oklahoma champ has targeted an Irish title shot in the Spring, or a big fight in America to finally say farewell to the pro game.

Kevin OHara has replaced the Hyland brothers as the most recent name on the Dubliners lips and a lightweight title fight with the Belfast man seems to be the desired option.

My coach Phill Sutclife said afterwards that was one of my best performances and that was after a long long break, Fagan, who has traded leather with Amir Khan and Julio Chavez Junior, said after the bout. I never really wanted to retire. I retired due to the AIBA job but I stayed in shape I train every day that is my drug. I feel like I am getting better with age. I am not getting hit as much I have learned more from teaching the kids the basics over the last few months. I am getting strong too. I have only comprised two or three fights with my bosses so I am in a hurry to get a big fight. I would like to fight Kevin OHara for a title.

I have called out all three of the Hyland brothers. Paulie, however wanted to fight nine stone two. I havent been that weight since I was 15 so thats not realistic. Pajo seems to going a different direction so that doesnt look likely. If I have to I would consider going back to the States to try get a big name. I would love a big big fight to go out on. I would love to go out on a win but if I got a big fight with lots of hype and I gave it my best I would be happy.

The fighter, who is generally more will power than power, seemed that little bit more refined on Sunday afternoon and nearly recorded a knock out victory after shuddering his opponent in the last stanza.

In the sixth round I nearly had him. My hooks and over hand right were coming off nicely tonight. He was a tough lad and I wouldnt be know for my power I am just relentless, but I caught him with a great shot. I am over the moon with that performance tonight. I said before I am a limited boxer but when it comes to heart and toughness you never going to beat me.

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30 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

They may not be meeting in the ring but Paul McCloskey and Amir Khan continue to fight outside the squared circle.

The European and World Champions proposed WBA world title fight fell trough over the weekend, but both teams have since traded vicious verbal blows and laid blame on each other for failure to agree a deal for the mouth-watering clash. Both camps have gone to great lengths to attribute culpability on the other for a deal not being signed, as the public fall out continued.

Team Khan have refuted claims they were trying to get the Derry native on the cheap and stressed McCloskey was demanding an astronomical amount for the April bout.

Golden Boys latest superstar, who had a similar if not as public fall out with Lamont Peterson before targeting the Dungiven stylist for his homecoming bout, released a statement via his management claiming McCloskey requested five times his last purse and subsequently priced himself out of a world title tilt. Whilst team McCloskey claim Khans team showed a sever lack of respect with a derisory offer.

The continental ring kings manager Francie McNicholl revealed the offer made was in fact only two times his highest purse, stressed they were willing to meet the options the Bolton native wanted bar one and claimed they continually tried to find a way for the fight to go ahead.

A substantial offer was put to McCloskeys team that would have seen the Irishman receive up to three times the amount he has ever been paid for a fight. Mr McCloskeys promoter asked for a purse over five times the amount he has ever received. Every time Team Khan believed that they were close to agreeing terms with Mr McCloskey, his team would move the goalposts and ultimately their demands were rejected as being unrealistic, Asif Vali, Business Manager of Amir Khan said.

Barry Hearn has out priced his fighter having demanded an astronomical amount despite the fact an excellent offer was put forward to him. The deal put to McCloskey was a great one and looking back on it may be something he will regret. The offer put to McCloskeys team was not totally derisory as Hearn claimed but was a deal that most fighters in his position would jump at, he added before McNicholl hit back for Team McCloskey.

After initial contact had been made with the Khan team we all agreed the contest could happen subject to conditions being agreed, McNicholl said via a statement.

Amir is a great fighter, therefore above all people he knows how tough this sport can be, he also knows the dedication commitment and sacrifices boxers have to make. He should show respect to his fellow professionals and offer them fair purses.

Contrary to Amir Khans teams claims their offer made to Paul was only twice the figure Paul has made before, not 3,4,5,or 6.

As Khan’s team would not negotiate on this low figure. We looked at other ways that could improve the deal on Pauls part to make it worthy of a world title fight, namely commission on Ticket Sales or PPV Sales.

The next requirements of Khan’s team were their three options on Paul if he won the fight. They wanted a rematch where Paul would be paid a cash amount and to promote Pauls next two fights.

On Option one we felt Paul as world champion should receive a 50/50 percentage split of the rematch. We were willing to accept Options Two and Three.

Shah has said they gave in to so many of our demands obviously had they agreed to any of our requests we would not be in this position. We were never going to sell Paul short he is no walkover in the ring and we will make sure he is not outside it either.

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30 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Anthony Fitzgerald left Lee Murtagh a bloody mess in City West on Sunday in the pair’s Irish-super middleweight title fight, which turned into a highly entertaining war of a attrition.

Murtagh, who was cascading blood from his forehead after a clash of heads in round two and some neat Fitzgerald work thereafter, was eventually stopped 1:35 into round seven leaving the Dubliner to emerge victorious from a bad blood, blood bath.

Now having finally got to grips with the Belfast born pro after five false dawns, Fitzgerald is keen to progress beyond the domestic scene. The Pride is moving down to middleweight in 2011 in a bid to move up the continental rankings and is targeting a big bout on the undercard of Willie Casey and Guillermo Rigondeaux’s world title fight.

I am ready now to step up beyond Irish level. I will wait and see what fighter Dolphil puts in front of me next. I want a big fight on March 19, Fitzgerald said after the fight.

Meanwhile former European Gold medallist Paul Griffin came back from retirement with a bang registering the punch of the day and a sensational knock out win over Janos Vass on the under-card. The amateur legend, who is just three months shy of his 40th birthday, ensured stamina was never going to be an issue and left the Hungarian staring at the ceiling after just 46 seconds of round one.

Fellow veteran Oisin Fagan did his hopes of securing one more big fight before going back into retirement no harm with a 59-55 points win over Karoly Laktos.

Cruiserweight Ian Tims was another who took the short route to victory on Dolphils Sunday matinee show stopping Viktor Szalai four seconds shy of the third bell. The former heavyweight amateur champion ended a year sabbatical with a strong, composed and clinical performance before vowing to dispatch Michael Sweeney and Darren Corbett before the year is out.

Three-time Anthony Fitzgerald opponent and serial entertainer Robbie Long came out on top of another brawl defeating professional punch bag James Tucker by a referees score of 40-38. While Darren Cruise also had his hand raised by the adjudicator after winning every round against Mickey Doherty.

JJ McDonagh bounced back from his surprise knock out reverse to Tommy Tolan registering a shut out points win over Phil Townley. The older of the two McDonagh brothers fed his opponent a diet of stiff southpaw jabs and looked a class above his tough opponent.

Finbarr The Rock Eade was another to make irrelevant the score card with a stoppage win while Paddy McDonagh also added a win to his slate.

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28 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Willie Casey will do battle with fellow world title challenger Brain Magee in Crumlin Boxing Gym next Wednesday, for the Irish Boxer of the Year crown.

The third National Boxing Awards will take place in the Dublin Gym on February 2 with Casey, who won Prizefighter, the super-bantemweight European title and earned himself a World title tilt in 2010, favoured to take the top prize.

Also up for grabs at the award presentation, which is supported by the Boxing Union of Ireland, are Irish Prospect of the Year, Irish Champion of the Year and Irish Coach of the Year.

The likes of Stephen Ormond, Jamie Kavanagh and Jamie Conlan have been tipped for bigger things in 2011 and are all in the running to follow Carl Frampton and Martin Lindsay as Irish Prospect of the Year winners.

Last years Trainer of the Year John Breens success with Paul McCloskey, Andrew Murray and Conlan mean he is contention to retain the award. However he will come under pressure from Crumlin and Dolphil coach Phil Sutcliffe, who has guided Willie Casey from boxing rags to riches in 12 months.

Super-middleweight Irish champion Anthony Fitzgerald is the hot favourite to claim the Irish Champion of the Year. Fitzgerald, who defends the title this coming Sunday in City West, has been by far the most active champion and is always willing to put the domestic strap on the line.

According to Awards coordinator Cormac Campbell, the voting process for the 2010 awards has been widened considerably and includes opinions from North and South of the Border.

This years awards have been voted for by a wide range of boxing writers and broadcasters, something that reflects the growth of the sport in recent times, he said.

It has been another great year for the sport here with European title successes for Willie Casey, Matthew Macklin, Paul McCloskey and Brian Magee. In 2011 we are hopeful that a number of these boxers can press on and win world titles. Behind them are a dozen or so other contenders and prospects who will ensure that boxings resurgence in Ireland into a major mainstream sport will continue in the coming years.

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28 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

Willie Casey will do battle with fellow world title challenger Brain Magee in Crumlin Boxing Gym next Wednesday, for the Irish Boxer of the Year crown.

The third National Boxing Awards will take place in the Dublin Gym on February 2 with Casey, who won Prizefighter, the super-bantemweight European title and earned himself a World title tilt in 2010, favoured to take the top prize.

Also up for grabs at the award presentation, which is supported by the Boxing Union of Ireland, are Irish Prospect of the Year, Irish Champion of the Year and Irish Coach of the Year.

The likes of Stephen Ormond, Jamie Kavanagh and Jamie Conlan have been tipped for bigger things in 2011 and are all in the running to follow Carl Frampton and Martin Lindsay as Irish Prospect of the Year winners.

Last years Trainer of the Year John Breens success with Paul McCloskey, Andrew Murray and Conlan mean he is contention to retain the award. However he will come under pressure from Crumlin and Dolphil coach Phil Sutcliffe, who has guided Willie Casey from boxing rags to riches in 12 months.

Super-middleweight Irish champion Anthony Fitzgerald is the hot favourite to claim the Irish Champion of the Year. Fitzgerald, who defends the title this coming Sunday in City West, has been by far the most active champion and is always willing to put the domestic strap on the line.

According to Awards coordinator Cormac Campbell, the voting process for the 2010 awards has been widened considerably and includes opinions from North and South of the Border.

This years awards have been voted for by a wide range of boxing writers and broadcasters, something that reflects the growth of the sport in recent times, he said.

It has been another great year for the sport here with European title successes for Willie Casey, Matthew Macklin, Paul McCloskey and Brian Magee. In 2011 we are hopeful that a number of these boxers can press on and win world titles. Behind them are a dozen or so other contenders and prospects who will ensure that boxings resurgence in Ireland into a major mainstream sport will continue in the coming years.

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27 January 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

John Breen has warned Irish fight fans against booking tickets for Manchester this spring despite reports that Paul McCloskey and Amir Khan have agreed to fight in principle.

Positive reports from both camps suggested the three week boxing saga had come to a happy ending and that McCloskey was going to get a fairy tale shot at the WBA light welterweight champion.

But in keeping with the on-off theme of the last 20 days- and despite Khan’s management suggesting a done deal- the Derry natives trainer has gone from confident the very pessimistic regarding the chances of a the fight being made.

The experienced Belfast trainer stressed that early yesterday morning he believed the bout would go ahead, but now sees no end to the pay dispute and cant envisage the pair trading leather.

The outgoing Irish Trainer of the Year told Mirror Sport that, unless team Khan make an improved offer today the Derry stylist will opt for a less fashionable continental title defence ahead of a challenge for King Khans world crown.

Breen, who is confident McCloskey would beat the Bolton native, claims the Golden Boy star thinks his name and reputation are payment enough for the European Champion and revealed that some of clauses tied into the deal were literally laughable.

Nothing is confirmed yet. They have agreed to fight in principle and both camps and fighters want the fight, but I would advise anyone against buying tickets or making plans to go to Manchester that weekend, Breen told Mirror Sport.

If you would have asked me earlier I would have said I was confident the fight would be going ahead, but I am not so confident now. Unless they come back with a better offer on Friday I cant see it happening. Paul has agreed in principle but there are still a few problems. They want Paul to fight for nothing and they want options on Paul that are just not agreeable. Honestly when Paul told me the options they were asking for I burst out laughing. They dont want to give Paul anything, they think he should just be happy because he has got the chance to fight Khan.

McCloskey, himself has refuted reports the Manchester MEN Arena April 16 bout is a done deal but remains hopeful the teams can finally agree terms.

Despite reports in recent days the fight is not fully agreed yet. There are still issues but we hope that they can be agreed by Friday. There is going to be a lot of press coming out which is not from our team. We would advise people to wait and not book anything until we confirm the fight, the Dungiven star said via Twitter.

Khans father is a lot more optimistic and revealed details of the most recent offer, a proposal he believes good enough to be able to all but confirm the bout.

We have offered him almost three times what he got paid for his last fight and the ball is in their court – it can happen if they agree to the terms.

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