Jason McKay lost out in his bid for gold at the 16th European Junior Championships in Bulgaria today despite a gallant display against Suleiman Bammatov.

The Russian light-flyweight was handed a 16-7 decision to finish on top of the 48kg podium in Sofia.

McKay gave it absolutely everything in the ring this afternoon and can be very proud of his performance against the top Russian boxer.

The Canal BC (Antrim) clubman will also be taking home a silver medal from Sofia after winning three bouts to get to the business end of the 35-nation tournament in the Bulgarian capital.

Kerry middleweight Brian Wall also had to settle for silver this afternoon after he suffered a facial injury in the first round of his 75kg final with Russia’s Magomed Magamedov.

Wall. who boxes out of the Cashen Vale BC, started well against his physically strong looking opponent but had to retire with 20 seconds remaining in the opening frame because of a nose bleed.

Wall, like McKay, won three bouts this week to reach today’s finals.

“Jason and Brian gave it 110% and they couldn’t have done anymore. All of the Irish squad performed very well out here this week and were delighted to me taking home two medals, said Irish team manager Michael Darby.

“It has been a tough week for our squad against some of the best in the World at this level and they all gave it everything at these Championships.”

The Irish squad won 15 bouts in Sofia this week.

*Ireland’s 13-strong squad are duo home via Dublin Airport via London Gatwick at 6.05pm on Sunday, July 1st. (Aer Lingus flight No. EI 243)*

2012 European Junior Championships Sofia, Bulgaria

June 23rd (Last 32)

52kg: James Cleary (Ireland) beat Kaspars Burkevics (Latvia) 19-6

54kg: John Joyce (Ireland) beat Richard Kovacs (Hungary) 15-7

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Saleem Bibar (Israel) 15-8

63kg: Daryl Byrne (Ireland) lost to Bernard Barsony (Hungary) 10-12

70kg: Luke Thomas (Ireland) lost to Bakhtier Kholov (Russia) 9-14

June 24th (Last 16 & Last 32)

54kg; John Joyce (Ireland) lost to Viktor Petrov (Ukraine) 10-14

57kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) beat Jegors Artjomovs (Latvia) 9-8 (last 32)

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) beat Huseyn Tarverdili (Azerbaijan) 15-6 (last 32)

80kg: Michael Gallagher (Ireland) lost to Uladzimir Tsitou (Belarus) 9-13

80+kg: Aaron Kelly (Ireland) lost to Marat Kerimkhanov (Russia) 6-13

June 25th (Last 16)

46kg: Martin Stokes (Ireland) lost to Dan Lapin (Ukraine) 5-11

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Zsolt Karvaly (Hungary) RSC2

50kg: Kalum McConville (Ireland) beat Paul Wall (Germany) 15-14

52kg: James Cleary (Ireland) lost to Sorin Claudiu (Romania) 8-17

57kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) beat Mihail Cvasiuc (Moldova) 10-10 c/b +

(no countback scores available)

June 26th (Last 16)

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Johanathan Zumbe (Germany) 15-8

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) beat Ogulcan Albayrak (Turkey) 14-8

75kg; Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Leonard Nicolae (Romania) 7-5

June 27th (Quarter-finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Arturas Bankauskas (Lithuania) 18-6

50kg: Kalum McConville (Ireland) lost to Omer Koc (Turkey) 6-12

57Kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) lost to Wladislaw Brayshnik (Germany) 13-16

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Alexander Morokhin (Russia) 11-15

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) lost to Oleksii Takarchuk (Ukraine) 8-12

75kg: Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Mustafa Atmaca (Turkey) RSCI3

June 29th (Semi-finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Iliyan Kolev (Bulgaria) 11-10

75kg: Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Zsolt Kovacs (Hungary) 13-7

June 30th (Finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) lost to Suleiman Bammatov (Russia) 7-16

75kg: Brain Wall (Ireland) lost to Magomed Magamedov (Russia) RSCI1

Irish squad

46kg; Martin Stokes (Mullhuddard)

48kg; Jason McKay (Canal)

50kg: Kalum McConville (Dealgan)

52kg: James Cleary (Olympic)

54kg: John Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)

57kg: Darren Pollock (St Agnes)

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ballynacargy)

63kg: Daryl Byrne (Grangecon)

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Cairn Lodge)

70kg: Luke Thomas (Watergrasshill)

75kg: Brian Wall (Cashen Vale)

80kg: Michael Gallagher (Finn Valley)

80kg+: Aaron Kelly (Mount Tallant)

Team manager: Michael Darby

Coaches: Billy McClean. Jim O’Neill (Clann Noafa Noafa). Ger McDaid (Mulhuddard)

Physio: Eoin Naughton

R&J: Jim Murrin

Director of Boxing: Dominic O’Rourke

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By Ciarán Gallagher

The death knell has been ringing on Irish pro boxing for some time. While America deals with weekly doping scandals and Britain gets itself worked up over a Luxembourgian invasion, the number of cards here at home has been falling rapidly with the exception of some welcome Belfast shows.

Meanwhile, time, of course, is ticking away towards Britain’s biggest fight night in years as the highly-anticipated clash of David Haye and Dereck Chisora approaches on July 14.

But while the Brits have been getting themselves in a tizzy over the build-up for that controversial meeting of two average heavyweights, a pair of Irish fighters will also have notable bouts on the same weekend. They could, in their own way, provide some help to reviving pro boxing in the south of Ireland, while they could also be make-or-break dates for each Irish man.

Firmly in that category is Willie Casey, who is waiting on formal confirmation that he will headline an action-packed ‘Summer Rumble’ card on Sunday, July 15 at Sunderland FC’s Stadium of Light. It’s been a long road to redemption for the Limerick fighter after his failed world-title challenge against Cuban great Guillermo Rigondeaux last year, with scheduled fights and management deals falling by the wayside.

His rapid rise after winning Prizefighter and defeating Paulie Hyland for the European title was only matched by the heavy fall endured after being rocked by the majestic Rigondeaux, who has since gone on to take America.

Watching the Cuban was like watching a superhero in action. He came quietly, whipped up a storm and left without any fuss but Casey and all spectators present left with chins dropped to the floor.

However, ‘The Big Bang’ has finally found some stability under Emerald Promotions, headed by Belfast’s Chris Graham, who are dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s on a fight with former world-title challenger and British champion Jason Booth.

If all goes to plan, Casey and Booth will meet for the new WBA European super-bantamweight title. While the last thing boxing needs is more belts, Casey’s team are somewhat justified in playing politics on this occasion as it will act as a stepping stone towards another world-title shot.

Boxing fans and analysts may be sick to their teeth of the world governing bodies throwing belts around like tinsel, but Casey has to prioritise his own career and must play the system in order to do so.

‘Once he wins, it will put him back in the top 15 of the WBA rankings,’ Graham explained.  ‘Hopefully the sun comes out in Sunderland as it did last year, we’ll have Sky Sport’s Ringside up at it and it’s a good opportunity to promote Willie and get him back in the super-bantamweight mix.’

The fight is expected to be formally confirmed as soon as the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBC) give the green light. That should be a formality but has been slightly complicated by the fact that the WBA title is on the line, with the WBA and British Board having recently been at loggerheads over the controversial Haye-Chisora card which has seen promoter Frank Warren in an ongoing battle with the board.

While the infamous promoter is accused by some on the British board of attempting to organise a Luxembourgian coup across the water,  that event is already the most anticipated British boxing fight night in years, with Warren’s team claiming the card at West Ham’s Upton Park will attract an attendance of around 40,000 on July 14.

That may yet prove to be an exaggeration but the fight is certainly turning the heads of both enthusiast and casual fans.

A late addition to the bill, in chief support, is undefeated Cork middleweight Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, who will challenge Manchester’s Matthew Hall for the vacant WBO international title.

O’Sullivan, unbeaten in 14 outings, only received the call to fight last week, but his trainer Paschal Collins — brother of former world champion Steve — explained that the date was too promising to pass up on.

‘He’s been living in Dublin the last three weeks and training three times a day. I told him it is an opportunity, it’s not ideal because of the short time-frame we have but sometimes you have to take opportunities,’ said Collins. ‘Plus, with the audience that we’ll have on the night, he can showcase himself. There’s fighters who go though their whole career who never get these opportunities.’

While Irish middleweight champ O’Sullivan has impressed boxing fans at home, with his most recent domestic outing being a stunning first-round KO of Dubliner Robbie Long last summer, his pro career has been stop-start and a date in front of such a big crowd and massive TV audience has the potential to make his name.

He is, unlike Haye or Chisora, a fighter who does not rely on bullshit, bottles or bitch slaps.

David Attenborough would be an appropriate commentator for an O’Sullivan bout as the Cork fighter stalks the ring like a clinical predator, waiting for his moment to pounce. He has solid fists and if ‘Spike’ can manage to produce an explosive finish, many more big opportunities may await.

‘To have your first title fight away from home, with over 40,000 watching and televised in 60 different countries is an unbelievable achievement for him,’ added Collins, who believes that a win for O’Sullivan will lead to a title defence in Dublin or Cork.

Meanwhile, Casey’s backers Emerald Promotions are making great progress in Belfast with modest but entertaining cards, the first of which was staged last February, with another lined up for July 21 at the Emerald Road House.

Their admirable work is welcome as Irish pro boxing struggles to stay on its feet and success for Casey and O’Sullivan will hopefully lead to more shows down south.

*Ciarán Gallagher’s Mail Box column appears every Friday in the Irish Daily Mail, follow him on Twitter: @gallagherbox and read more great/confused sports writing at www.grannykiller.com

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Patrick ‘The Punisher’ Hyland has his next vicitm in sight after agreeing to fight  Jeremy McLaurin in Rochester New York on August 8.

The Team Snooki star man is unbeaten in 26 fights and feels he is on verge of a major title shot, but novice McLaurin isn’t the type of name that will move him into the big time reckogning.

In fairness, the middle of three champion boxing brothers and the owner of the longest undefeated run amongst active irish fighters,  see’s the novice as a keep busy foe and is adamant a world title shot is getting closer and closer.

The big punching Tracey Patterson trained talent has been named dropped by Aussie World champion Billy Dib, is cultivating  a name Stateside and with some financail clout behind him could secure s bigger fight soon.

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By Jonny Stapleton

SERGIO Martinez left Dee Walsh in awe on a number of occasions over his long and illustrious career and the Belfast fighter feels it is only right he returns the favour in Spain tonight.

The greatest middleweight on the planet will be ringside as Walsh goes to work in the holiday town of Malaga and the NoWhere2Hyde fighter is planning to pay him back for the years of entertainment by producing a show stopping display of his own.

The confident and talented prospect meet the fighter who beat a game Matthew Macklin on St Patricks Day in New York this week, but hopes to make a more lasting impression on the pound for pound world number 3 tonight.

“Sergio Martienz is the only person that spoke English the whole time we’ve been here. We were talking to him about the time he fought in theKings Hall against Richard Williams, and Tony (Dunlop) was mentioning to him about greats from Argentina. He bowed when Tony mentioned the great Carlos Monzon,” an excited Walsh told Irish—boxing.com.

It could be a long time before Walsh forces Martinez to bow upon hearing the Belfast fighters name, but he does hope to have ‘Marvello’ out of his seat in Spain tonight.

Walsh plans to put on a show not a of the caberiet kind for the boxing great.

“I definitly want to impress.  I watch Martinez a lot, he has put on a lot of shows for me, so I think I’ll return the favour!”

‘Waldo’ by no means is expecting an easy ride tonight. The 22 year old claims he will have to be at his best to beat

Julio Sanchez provides opposition for the undefeated Walsh

(1-2-0) and is concern about the heat.

“So far I’ve impressed everywhere I’ve been, people just love my style. The only thing that could stop me putting on a show is the heat, and its outdoor too. That will make it worse I had a look at him on youtube, he very strong an very fit, so I have to be at my best to beat him.”

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By Jonny Stapleton

JOHN Waldron is plans to play the panto villain in  Halifax, Yorkshire tonight and is plotting the demise of ‘The Wonder Boy’ Jamie Kelly.

The Mayo fighter travels across the pond to take on the youngster, is confident he can prove the English fighter’s kryptonite and inflict a first loss on Kelly.

The 37 year old hasn’t registered a win in five fights, but desires a fourth Irish title shot and believes victory tonight can help him achieve his goal.

“I am  confident.  I’m fighting this lad in his back yard and  he’s unbeaten, but if all goes well I’ll be inflicting his first loss on him. I hope to win and get a crack at Irish title again. If I win that title back it would be  onwards and upwards from there. I’m going give it a 100% and I hope that will prove enough. Training is going well so fingers crossed I can give all all the Irish in Halifax something to cheer about.”

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Jason McKay lost out in his bid for gold at the 16th European Junior Championships in Bulgaria today despite a gallant display against Suleiman Bammatov.

The Russian light-flyweight was handed a 16-7 decision to finish on top of the 48kg podium in Sofia.

McKay gave it absolutely everything in the ring this afternoon and can be very proud of his performance against the top Russian boxer.

The Canal BC clubman will also be taking home a silver medal from Sofia after winning three bouts to get to the business end of the 35-nation tournament in the Bulgarian capital this week.

Kerry middleweight Brian Wall will be in the ring between 4pm and 4.30pm this afternoon for his 75kg final with Russia’s Magomed Magamedov.

*Ireland’s 13-strong squad are duo home via Dublin Airport via London Gatwick at 6.05pm on Sunday, July 1st. (Aer Lingus flight No. EI 243)*

2012 European Junior Championships Sofia, Bulgaria

June 23rd (Last 32)

52kg: James Cleary (Ireland) beat Kaspars Burkevics (Latvia) 19-6

54kg: John Joyce (Ireland) beat Richard Kovacs (Hungary) 15-7

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Saleem Bibar (Israel) 15-8

63kg: Daryl Byrne (Ireland) lost to Bernard Barsony (Hungary) 10-12

70kg: Luke Thomas (Ireland) lost to Bakhtier Kholov (Russia) 9-14

June 24th (Last 16 & Last 32)

54kg; John Joyce (Ireland) lost to Viktor Petrov (Ukraine) 10-14

57kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) beat Jegors Artjomovs (Latvia) 9-8 (last 32)

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) beat Huseyn Tarverdili (Azerbaijan) 15-6 (last 32)

80kg: Michael Gallagher (Ireland) lost to Uladzimir Tsitou (Belarus) 9-13

80+kg: Aaron Kelly (Ireland) lost to Marat Kerimkhanov (Russia) 6-13

June 25th (Last 16)

46kg: Martin Stokes (Ireland) lost to Dan Lapin (Ukraine) 5-11

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Zsolt Karvaly (Hungary) RSC2

50kg: Kalum McConville (Ireland) beat Paul Wall (Germany) 15-14

52kg: James Cleary (Ireland) lost to Sorin Claudiu (Romania) 8-17

57kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) beat Mihail Cvasiuc (Moldova) 10-10 c/b +

(no countback scores available)

June 26th (Last 16)

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Johanathan Zumbe (Germany) 15-8

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) beat Ogulcan Albayrak (Turkey) 14-8

75kg; Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Leonard Nicolae (Romania) 7-5

June 27th (Quarter-finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Arturas Bankauskas (Lithuania) 18-6

50kg: Kalum McConville (Ireland) lost to Omer Koc (Turkey) 6-12

57Kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) lost to Wladislaw Brayshnik (Germany) 13-16

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Alexander Morokhin (Russia) 11-15

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) lost to Oleksii Takarchuk (Ukraine) 8-12

75kg: Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Mustafa Atmaca (Turkey) RSCI3

June 29th (Semi-finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Iliyan Kolev (Bulgaria) 11-10

75kg: Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Zsolt Kovacs (Hungary) 13-7

June 30th (Finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) lost to Suleiman Bammatov (Russia) 7-16

75kg: Brain Wall (Ireland) v Magomed Magamedov (Russia)

Irish squad

46kg; Martin Stokes (Mullhuddard)

48kg; Jason McKay (Canal)

50kg: Kalum McConville (Dealgan)

52kg: James Cleary (Olympic)

54kg: John Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)

57kg: Darren Pollock (St Agnes)

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ballynacargy)

63kg: Daryl Byrne (Grangecon)

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Cairn Lodge)

70kg: Luke Thomas (Watergrasshill)

75kg: Brian Wall (Cashen Vale)

80kg: Michael Gallagher (Finn Valley)

80kg+: Aaron Kelly (Mount Tallant)

Team manager: Michael Darby

Coaches: Billy McClean. Jim O’Neill (Clann Noafa Noafa). Ger McDaid (Mulhuddard)

Physio: Eoin Naughton

R&J: Jim Murrin

Director of Boxing: Dominic O’Rourke

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Tyson Fury claims his next opponent Vinny Maddalone will have nothing to scare him after the Irish heavyweight champion was arrested in Holland at gun point during the week.

Fury and his team are currently recovering from being hand-cuffed, strip-searched and held for 11 hours after Dutch police wrongfully arrested them in Rotterdam.

Police were searching for the culprits of an armed robbery and murder and the mistook Team Fury for the assailants.

The giant heavyweight has put the ordeal behind him and is now glad to be focusing on his next fight.

“Boxing Vinny Maddalone should be easy compared with this. I’ll be a relieved man when I finally arrive in Bristol,” Fury said.

“They were pointing guns at us and shouting: ‘Get down, get down. There had been a robbery in which someone was murdered and some guys in a bar had given the police a description of the robbers and it was similar to us. The ironical thing is I came here to get away from distractions at home. What a choice!”

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Antrim’s Jason McKay advanced to the 48kg final at the 16th European Junior Championships following a thrilling win over Bulgarian light-flyweight Illiyan Kolev in Bulgaria yesterday.

The Canal BC stand out earned an 11-10 decision from a toe-to-toe duel to record his third victory on-the trot at the 35-nation tournament in Sofia.

Both boxers were tied after the first round, but McKay edged 7-6 ahead by the end of the second frame en route to an edge-of-the-seat – but totally deserved – victory.

He’ll now meet Russia’s Suleiman Bammatov for 48kg gold in Saturday’s final.

Meanwhile, Kerry’s Brian Wall – who has also won three contests this week – followed up McKay’s win a convincing verdict over Hungarian middleweight Zsolt Kovacs early this evening.

Wall, who plays in midfield for the Kerry U/16 Gaelic football team, recorded a 13-7 win to book his ticket into Saturday’s 75kg final where he’ll meet Magomed Magamedov, also of Russia.

The Ulster and Munster duo are now guaranteed to be taking home at least two silver medals from Sofia.

“Jason and Brian boxed out of their skins today and they gave it absolutely everything against two tough and talented opponents, said Irish team manager Michael Darby.

“We’re absolutely delighted with their performances. They both have tough finals ahead of them against Russia tomorrow but their confidence will be high after these wins.”

“Jason and Brian really pulled out all the stops today and they can both be very proud of their performances in what is a quality tournament featuring some of the best in the world at this level,” added IABA Director of Boxing Dominic O’Rourke.

Ireland and Germany, who also have two boxers through to the finals, are the only two western European nations left in the tournament.

Saturday’s finals begin at 12pm (Irish time).

*Ireland’s 13-strong squad are duo home via Dublin Airport via London Gatwick at 6.05pm on Sunday, July 1st. (Aer Lingus flight No. EI 243)*

2012 European Junior Championships Sofia, Bulgaria

June 23rd (Last 32)

52kg: James Cleary (Ireland) beat Kaspars Burkevics (Latvia) 19-6

54kg: John Joyce (Ireland) beat Richard Kovacs (Hungary) 15-7

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Saleem Bibar (Israel) 15-8

63kg: Daryl Byrne (Ireland) lost to Bernard Barsony (Hungary) 10-12

70kg: Luke Thomas (Ireland) lost to Bakhtier Kholov (Russia) 9-14

June 24th (Last 16 & Last 32)

54kg; John Joyce (Ireland) lost to Viktor Petrov (Ukraine) 10-14

57kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) beat Jegors Artjomovs (Latvia) 9-8 (last 32)

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) beat Huseyn Tarverdili (Azerbaijan) 15-6 (last 32)

80kg: Michael Gallagher (Ireland) lost to Uladzimir Tsitou (Belarus) 9-13

80+kg: Aaron Kelly (Ireland) lost to Marat Kerimkhanov (Russia) 6-13

June 25th (Last 16)

46kg: Martin Stokes (Ireland) lost to Dan Lapin (Ukraine) 5-11

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Zsolt Karvaly (Hungary) RSC2

50kg: Kalum McConville (Ireland) beat Paul Wall (Germany) 15-14

52kg: James Cleary (Ireland) lost to Sorin Claudiu (Romania) 8-17

57kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) beat Mihail Cvasiuc (Moldova) 10-10 c/b +

(no countback scores available)

June 26th (Last 16)

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Johanathan Zumbe (Germany) 15-8

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) beat Ogulcan Albayrak (Turkey) 14-8

75kg; Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Leonard Nicolae (Romania) 7-5

June 27th (Quarter-finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Arturas Bankauskas (Lithuania) 18-6

50kg: Kalum McConville (Ireland) lost to Omer Koc (Turkey) 6-12

57Kg: Darren Pollock (Ireland) lost to Wladislaw Brayshnik (Germany) 13-16

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Alexander Morokhin (Russia) 11-15

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Ireland) lost to Oleksii Takarchuk (Ukraine) 8-12

75kg: Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Mustafa Atmaca (Turkey) RSCI3

June 29th (Semi-finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) beat Iliyan Kolev (Bulgaria) 11-10

75kg: Brian Wall (Ireland) beat Zsolt Kovacs (Hungary) 13-7

June 30th (Finals)

48kg: Jason McKay (Ireland) v Suleiman Bammatov (Russia)

75kg: Brain Wall (Ireland) v Magomed Magamedov (Russia)

Irish squad

46kg; Martin Stokes (Mullhuddard)

48kg; Jason McKay (Canal)

50kg: Kalum McConville (Dealgan)

52kg: James Cleary (Olympic)

54kg: John Joyce (St Michael’s Athy)

57kg: Darren Pollock (St Agnes)

60kg: Wayne Kelly (Ballynacargy)

63kg: Daryl Byrne (Grangecon)

66kg: Lewis Crocker (Cairn Lodge)

70kg: Luke Thomas (Watergrasshill)

75kg: Brian Wall (Cashen Vale)

80kg: Michael Gallagher (Finn Valley)

80kg+: Aaron Kelly (Mount Tallant)

Team manager: Michael Darby

Coaches: Billy McClean. Jim O’Neill (Clann Noafa Noafa). Ger McDaid (Mulhuddard)

Physio: Eoin Naughton

R&J: Jim Murrin

Director of Boxing: Dominic O’Rourke

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By Jonny Stapleton

DANIEL McShane achieved all he wanted as an amateur and is ready to leave his mark on the professional game.

The former Irish international, Ulster and Irish champ has taken the advice of  ‘coaches all

McShane ready for life in the pros

over Ireland’ and ditched the vest and head guard for a format he and everyone else seems to think he is made for.

The teen, who will fight on the Peace Promotions card in the Ulster Hall in October,  certainly isn’t lacking confidence and has even backed himself to the be the next big thing to emerge from the great boxing city that is Belfast.

Speaking to Irish-boxing.com McShane claimed he was born to fight and has great expectations for his own career.

“I have achieved my dreams in amateur level and now I’m ready to turn pro. I love the sport of boxing it’s in my blood. It  is something that’s been in my blood from the day I was born. I am tough and I can beat the best out there at the pro game and I have big expectations for myself. I will be the next big thing that comes out of Belfast,” McShane explained.

“I turned pro  because in amateur boxing you compete in the same competitions over and over each year. It gets boring after 11 years of it. And my style of boxing suits the pro game down to the T, coaches all over Ireland have been telling me that for a few years now. I also have completed my amateur dream witch was to be all Ireland champion so I can cross over happy.”

McShane smacks of self belief, but the Belfast fighter doesn’t just think he is the best he believes his fans will prove something special over the next few years.
One of  a number of fighters Irish fighters to enter the paid ranks this year, McShane is confident he won’t be beaten in the ring and his followers won’t be out sung in any arena.

“I have a very big fan base here in Belfast, I know my fans will follow me everywhere I go. As you can see on my Facebook my family and friends and fans are over the moon that I have turned pro. They are buzzing for my first fight and looking tickets already and it hasn’t been fully confirmed yet. But when my debut comes I will be expecting my fans to be louder than the fight that will be topping the bill.”

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By Jonny Stapleton

Newly-inducted Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach claims Jamie Kavanagh  is proving anything but a ‘Nuisance’ and has been nothing but impressive since he joined the Wild Card two years ago.
Roach, who worked with Bernard Dunne, Michael Collins, Dean Byrne amongst other Irish fighters, is happy with the progress that the lightweight has made since relocating to Los Angles.
The greatest trainer in the world doesn’t get too much one on one time with the Dubliner, but keeps a close eye on his progress.

“Jamie is doing real well.  I have been travelling a lot lately with (Manny) Pacquiao, Amir (Khan) and Chavez and I haven’t had a lot of time, but Sedano Ruiz, his Spanish coach, is doing a great job,” he told the Irish Voice.
“He’s just had a great performance in Cancun, he looked really well in the fight, and I think that draw we had was a wake-up call for him and it sparked him to work a little harder.  It was probably more of a good thing than a bad thing,” said Roach.
The talented 22 year old hasn’t just the benefits of working in a quality gym, he also has the promotional backing of Golden Boy. Roach revealed Kavanagh’s bilingual abilities excited America’s top two promoters.
“When Golden Boy found out he that he was bi-lingual and that he could speak Spanish – they have a lot of Telemundo shows and that is their biggest audience in boxing – they signed him right away. They wanted to sign him before Top Rank did.  We could have gone either way, but Golden Boy made the better offer at the time.”
Despite waxing lyrical about the Irish fighters progress, Roach still feels he needs a few more eight round fights before progressing further.

“I would probably give him two or three more eight-rounders and then move to 10,” said Roach. “If you can fight eight, then you can fight 10.You know he is just too small to fight in the 140 division, you can look at him and see that,” added Roach. “135 is a much better weight for him. He’ll be a much better puncher at that weight, once he settles down and sits down on his punches a little bit.  He still has a lot of amateur in him, but we are slowly making those changes.”

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