Tyson ready to bring house down on Haye
Fantasy Fights: Carl Frampton v Scott Quigg
There Are No Longer Winners – Only Survivors
Video: Matthew Macklin v Gennady Golovkin press conference
Hatton: Burnett will reach the boxing summit
Fantasy Fights – Macklin vs LeeMonthly Archives: April 2012
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Editor of Irish-Boxing.com. Jamie Conlan has been forced to bow out of this weeks massive Kings Hall show.
The Irish Prospect of the Year had hoped to grab some of the substantial limelight currently lighting up boxing in Belfast, but injury has denied him his slot on the biggest card to come to Ireland in recent history.
The john Breen trained talent is obviously gutted but comforting words from Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn eased his pain.
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By Jonny Stapleton
FORMER Irish amateur favourite TJ Doheny made a lasting first impression on Australian fans of the pro variety last weekend.
The former Portlaoise Pat Ryan trained club man stopped Thai opposition within a round of his first paid outing and has set his sights on eclipsing an impressive amateur career as he journeys without the vest and head guard.
The super bantamweight, who won national titles at youth, junior and under 21 level, claims a lack of quality amateur tests in Oz have forced him to turn pro.
And having registered an impressive win on his pro bow the former Irish international and two time Senior final looser couldn’t be happier.
“I was very nervous as you can be on your debut in case of an upset, but all the preparation showed. I am making the weight easier than I thought. I feel an awful lot stronger at super bantamweight and it showed on my debut,” the stylish southpaw told www.irish-boxing.com.
Doheny joins the likes of Paddy Murphy, Tony Bates and two weight Queensland champion Dennis Hogan representing Ireland Down Under.
The fighter who lost to John Joe Nevin in the 2008 senior final after beating reigning Commonwealth champion Carl Frampton in the semi has already himself a target of becoming Australian Champion over the next 12 months.
“I came to Oz in search of work and realised this is where I want to be, but because of the lack of high level amateur contests I was forced to turn to the pro ranks to nail down some competitive fights. Now having got the pro debut out of the way with a first round stoppage I aiming to be Australian champ by this time next year. I am being coached by Tony Del Vecchio and I am boxing out of FBI (full body impact) Gym Bondi Junction Sydney NSW.”
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By Jonny Stapleton
DEMARCUS Corley is ready to complete the greatest comeback since Jesus Christ and is planning to resurrect his career with victory over Paul Mccloskey this weekend.
The veteran claims his most recent win over Gabriel Bracero is proof he is back from the boxing dead. The former world champion predicts a rise back to the top of the welterweight division starting this weekend.
The 37 year-old is confident a win over fellow south paw ‘Dudey’ will see him secure a fourth world title challenge.
“Chop Chop” has just two victories in his last 10 fights, but has his sights set on the WBC strap and wants to say goodbye to the fight game in style.
Speaking to Boxing News Corley said:
“When Jesus Christ was crucified, he was dead for six days and then rose on the seventh. I had six straight losses before facing Gabriel Bracero. I ended up beating him, so like Jesus, I was down for six and rose on the seventh. Now it’s my time. I’m very happy to keep
fighting. I want to win the WBC belt at 140lbs and 135lbs before I retire. That’s my aim,” Corley explained getting his bible facts wrong but you appreciate the sentiment.
McCloskey struggled to secure an opponent for his latest Kings Hall outing, as a host of big names rebuffed the chance to come to Belfast and fight fans rebuffed the idea of Curtis Woodhouse as an opponent.
The American, who has shared the ring with world renowned fighters, such as Zab Judah, Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather, thinks the ‘Dudey’ army might have intimidated some would be challengers.
However, the former WBO belt holder isn’t deterred by McCloskey’s loyal following. In fact he is ready to embrace them.
“I read that nobody wanted to go over to Belfast to fight Paul because of the huge fanbase he has in Northern Ireland, but it won’t faze me at all. “I’m excited to visit Northern Ireland. I can’t wait to get over there and meet all the local people, sign some autographs and pose for some pictures,” Corley added.
The Lou DiBella promoted star might be excited about his visit Ireland he knows come May 5 it will be more fight than sight seeing.
Corley has expressed his admiration for the slick southpaw, but is confident of victory despite taking the bout at late notice.
“I’ve done my homework on him. He’s a pretty good fighter. He beat Breidis Prescott last time out, although I thought it should have been a draw
“I didn’t find out about the McCloskey fight until recently, but that doesn’t worry me, as I’m always in shape,” the Washington, D.C native declared. “I’ve been fighting at 140lbs since 1995. I was scheduled to compete on April 7, but the card got cancelled. I took a week off from the gym, and then started training again. I had a chat with my promoter Lou DiBella, and he said that he had a date for me: May 5 against Paul McCloskey in Belfast. I was more than happy to oblige.”
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By Jonny Stapleton
EDDIE Hearn is assembling his very own ‘Fantastic Four’ in a bid to rescue a slumbering Irish boxing scene.
The domestic fight game has enjoyed a slight resurgence of late, particularly in Belfast with Paul McCloskey and Tyson Fury bringing big crowds to the Odyssey Arena and the success of our middleweights on the world stage.
Irish fight fans, however still yearn for regular big fight night’s not seen since the exciting Bernard Dunne era.
The Matchroom boss has plans to end the drought and will use the popular quartet of Paul McCloskey, Carl Frampton, Martin Lindsay and Jamie Conlan to bring frequent and massive fight cards to Belfast.
The young promoter brings one of the biggest shows Ireland has ever seen to the capital of Irish boxing this week, as Prizefighter comes to town on a bill with McCloskey versus former world champion DeMarcos Corley.
Hearn however, has plans beyond this weekend, starting with a massive September title feast and action packed fight menu.
If things run smoothly the heir to the Matchroom throne hopes Paul McCloskey will challenge for the world title, Frampton for the European strap, Conlan for either the British or Commonwealth straps and a Lindsay will compete in an eliminator all the same show.
Speaking to Shaun Brown on Boxingscene Hearn said:
“Our plan is to build interest in Northern Ireland. We need flagship fighters and with McCloskey Frampton, Jamie Conlan and Martin Lindsay we have that.
There will be a show featuring all four of them in September. We would like to have Lindsay in a title eliminator on that show. Being part of Matchroom will put Martin back in the mix and he will probably achieve more than he did in the first place.McCloskey and Frampton sell loads of tickets. We want to have bigger shows in bigger arenas that are the
model we are looking at.”
Hearn’s Fantastic Irish Four:
Paul 'Dudey' McCloskey
Carl 'The Jackal' Frampton
Martin 'Mac Man' Lindsay
Irish Prospect of the Year Jamie Conlan
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Dudey and the Jackal to decide all-Irish Middleweight contenders fate on Wednesday
Paul McCloskey and Carl Frampton will perform the draw for the all-Irish Betfair Prizefighter Middleweights at Stormont Parliament Buildings on Wednesday afternoon (May 2) ahead of the action live on Sky Sports from the King’s Hall on Saturday night (May 5).
The eight contenders will look on with great interest as Dudey and the Jackal match them up for the 24th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight man, one night tournament which precedes McCloskey taking on ‘Chop Chop’ DeMarcus Corley as the Dungiven star aims to get a second World title shot. Former British featherweight champ Martin Lindsay kicks off the night but Jamie Conlan has been forced to pull out of the show through illness.
Previous Prizefighter nights have seen the draw made live on Sky Sports in the ring, but now the fighters will know the route they have to take in advance, and Belfast man Joe Rea hopes his path leads to a final with fellow Belfast fighter Eamonn O’Kane, so he can exact revenge for defeat in their eight round cracker in the Odyssey Arena in September.
“Eamonn is a good fighter but I know 100 per cent that I have the beating of him so I do really hope for a rematch with him for the title,” said Rea. “I’d like to see him in the final. We’re both from the north so it’d be great for Irish boxing. I know Eamonn will sell a load of tickets and I know that I’ve sold a load of tickets so I think the Belfast public deserve that final.”
O’Kane and Rea are joined by former two-weight Irish champ Ciaran Healy, Irish super middleweight champion JJ McDonagh, former champ Anthony Fitzgerald, unbeaten Lurgan man Ryan Greene, ‘Slick Fightin’ Irish’ Simon O’Donnell and Roscommon’s Darren Cruise.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster on: 0844 277 4455 (UK/Northern Ireland) or 0818 719 300 (Republic of Ireland) and atwww.ticketmaster.ie
VIP packages priced £150 are available from Matchroom Sport on 01277 359900 and atwww.matchroomboxing.com
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By Jonny Stapleton
Ryan Clark registered only his third win in over 60 fights to claim the International super middleweight Masters title in Pride Park on Saturday.
It was destination win for the renowned journey man after he got up off the canvas to defeat Jonjo Finnegan via an eight round stoppage.
Clark, who is renowned in Ireland for a since resolved public spat with Anthony Fitzgerald, recently took out an Irish licence and has Irish title aspirations.
‘Fearless’, who continually claims his record doesn’t belies talent, is no longer titleless as he became the second Irish fighter to claim the International Masters title over the weekend following Luke Wilton’s win in Belfast.
Also See interview with Clark re taking out Irish license:
http://www.irish-boxing.com/2012/04/controversial-ryan-clark-takes-out-irish-licence/
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By Jonny Stapleton
LUKE Wilton collected the International flyweight Masters title in Belfast last Saturday night passing his stiffest test to date in less than a round.
However, ’Winky’ wasn’t content with becoming master of the International flyweight universe via a shot He Man himself would have been proud of- and instantly set his sights on becoming lord of the domestic flys.
Within minutes of strapping the little known title around his waist Wilton called out British and Commonwealth flyweight champion Chris Edwards.
The Belfast little man is ranked number 2 in the British super flyweight rankings, but he adamant he will campaign at the lowest of the weights and wants to fight Edwards.
“Chris Edwards is the one I want. There is no point in me fighting Jamie Conlan. Nothing against him but he has nothing to offer me now. There has been talks with Chris Edwards,” Wilton explained.
Asked if he had a message for the 35 year old, Wilton said.
“Fight me. I will go to England. I have no problem going over there. I don’t get involved in any talks I leave that to my team. That goes for Jamie Conlan too I never turned down any fight with him. I will fight anyone, but I fight who I am told. I am number two in Britain at super flyweight, but I am campaigning at flyweight. I want the flyweight champion. Look at Chris Edwards he has fought Paul Edwards, Shinny Bayaar and Ashley Sexton. I am the only guy left to be honest, so why not get it on. Lets have a go,” he said before commenting on his win over
Francis Miyeyusho (31-10-2).
“He was very strong and wiry. I trained real hard for this fight and my preparation for the fight was 100 percent. I caught him with a right uppercut and he went down. I am getting better and I am starting to punch with a bit more authority too. I don’t know too much about this international masters title but not to worry, as long as it gets me a British title shot.”
Wilton topped a bill put together by his parents and had his father in his corner for the biggest test of his career. And Alan Wilton was more than happy with his son’s performance. ‘Alio’ also told Frank Maloney to get in touch to make a Edwards Wilton match.
“This kid had 18 kos out of 31 wins. You seen him there he came to win. He gave it all he had for a couple of minutes and he just got caught with a right hand. We were looking at a hard hard slog tonight. We prepared for that. We want a British title shot. We are number two in Britain we want Chris Edwards. Tell frank Maloney to call me and we will get it made. We don’t want anymore undercard six rounders. We need a title. The board should be sanctioning this kid for a British title. He needs to get the British title shot now.”
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ANDY Lee’s world title clash with Mexican Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is heading back to El Paso, Texas.
The Limerick native along with Chavez Jr and Top Rank boss Bob Arum where left stunned when the University of Texas Chancellor Francisco G Cigarroa claimed the fight couldn’t take place in the College’s 50,000 seated stadium an hour before the press conference called to announce the fight and venue.
However, it seems Cigarroa has had a change of heart and Lee could be basking in the Sun Bowl if he beats the protected Mexican come June 16.
The venue was given approval to host the fight after Cigarroa downgraded his previous safety concerns about holding the fight on a campus site.
Cigarroa was appeased after a conference call involving federal drug enforcement, theFBI, border patrol and the local police in El Paso, close to the Mexican border.
“Those concerns can be mitigated to a high confidence level,” Cigarroa stated. “This led to my decision.”
Cigarroa requires assurances in writing from both federal and local officials that safety will be at a controlled level, and alcohol will be banned from both the event and campus property.
“One of the most important responsibilities I have is the safety of our students, faculty, staff and campus visitors,” said Cigarroa.
The Irish middleweight won’t be overjoyed with the news. Speaking to Irish Boxing Radio last week he stressed a move from El Paso could prove beneficial. The border city brings with it a very pro Mexican crowd that will be hostile toward Lee.
There is also altitude issues the Kronk southpaw will have to take into consideration.
In saying that the Irish middleweight will be confident he has enough talent and experience to ensure outside influences won’t effect his in ring display.
Listen to Andy Lee’s interview with Irish Boxing Radio Follow the Link below
http://www.irish-boxing.com/2012/04/episode-4-irish-boxing-radio/
The Sun Bowl!
