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STEPHEN Reynolds has been forced to withdraw from the August 15 Castlebar bill due to ‘slight’ injury.
The 39 year old made registered an impressive debut win over Moses Matovu in Belfast on July 21 and his sizeable support were hoping to see him punch for pay closer to home on the Henry Coyle under card.

The five time Senior Champ’s manager Leonard Gunning explained the injury was more niggle than noteworthy knock.

“Stephen sustained a slight injury in his debut win and whilst its nothing serious and need a little rest. As a result he will no longer be able to compete on the Castlebar bill because it wouldn’t give him enough time to get back to 100% fitness in such a short period of time.”

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Argentina’s Marcelo Rodriguez has promised to embody the fighting spirit of Mayo native Admiral Brown when he travels to Ireland to challenge Henry Coyle for his WBF Light Middleweight title on August 17th. The two men clash at The Royal Theatre, Castlebar and Rodriquez is clearly aware of the connection between his native land and Mayo through Admiral William Brown, the Mayo native widely known as “the father of the Argentine Navy”.

Brown was born in Foxford, Co. Mayo in 1777 and would go on to become a national hero in Argentina as a key figure in the War of Independence before further enhancing his reputation as the defender of Buenos Aires during the Cisplatine War. He died in 1857 and is buried in Buenos Aires. Statues and monuments to him are found throughout Argentina, and his name is honoured with several streets, squares and towns but his Irish roots are also commemorated in his native Foxford with a monument and the Admiral Brown Museum in the town.

Rodriquez is hoping to fit in a visit to the museum when he arrives in Mayo and believes it will inspire him to a win over the local champion. “I’m looking forward to this fight in Ireland because Argentina has such strong connections with Mayo,” said Rodriquez. “It will be great to learn more about Admiral Brown’s Irish roots and to visit the monument and the museum. The main souvenir I want to bring back to Argentina though is the WBF title belt!

“I’ve fought outside of Argentina many times including fights in Mexico, Germany, Australia, France and Uruguay so it is nothing new to me. I have watched some of Coyles fights and he seems to have a very similar style to me. We both like to stand in the middle of the ring and have a fight.This won’t be a dancing competition, we will meet head on and deliver a great fight for the Irish fans but I am afraid they will not be so happy with the result!”

With 43 KO’s from his 60 wins the experienced Rodriquez has a reputation of a heavy hitter and he believes his firepower will prove the difference at The Royal Theatre. “I hit hard with both hands, I know when you are fighting way from home that you can’t expect any favours from the judges so every time I fight I go for the knockout because then you take the decision out of the judges hands and can decide matters with your own hands.”

Prior to turning professional Rodriquez enjoyed an amateur rivalry with Sergio Martinez, the man currently recognised as the World’s best middleweight and one of the best pound for pound boxers on the planet. “I fought Sergio in the amateurs and we both turned professional around the same time so I have always followed his career with great interest. He has gone on to achieve great things in the sport and is one of the best fighters in the world today. We have very different styles but he is an inspiration because for a long time he travelled the world like me fighting in different countries against the hometown guy and eventually he got the big fights and now he has achieved so much at an age when most people think fighters should have hung up their gloves.”

Sergio Martinez has his hand raised his victory following an amateur bout with Marcelo Rodriquez.

Rodriquez will form part of a two man Argentine armada in Castlebar on August 17th with his compatriot Sergio Priotti set to take on Andy Murray in the Cavan man’s first fight since an unsuccessful European title challenge last year.

Also on the undercard Irish based Cuban Alexei “The Hurricane” Collado faces World rated Ukrainian, Stanyslav Merdov with the former World Junior Champion looking to extend his perfect professional record. Merdov will undoubtedly prove his stiffest test to date having pushed boxing’s longest reigning Word Champ, Chris John all the way in a challenge for his WBA Featherweight title last November.

A knee injury has forced Sligo’s Stephen Reynolds to withdraw from his scheduled contest on the card but an intriguing replacement bout sees Mayo’s former Irish Light Heavyweight Champ John Waldron take on Dublin’s Brendan Fitzpatrick in a bout that both men will be desperate to win in a bid to get back on track following recent setbacks.

An all Connaught affair between Galway’s Alan Donnellan and Roscommon’s Darren Cruise will see the winner take a step closer to an Irish title fight. Cruise will be looking to bounce back from his quarter final defeat in the last Prizefighter event while Donnellan will be looking to get back to winning ways following his first defeat, a contentious points loss to Ciaran Healy in Belfast recently.

Rounding out the card is an all Mayo affair that will see two Ballyhaunis boxers punching for pay for the first time – against each other as welterweights Michael Waldron and Brandon Peake clash in their pro debuts.

Tickets for the August 17th event priced €40, €60 and €100 are available from the Royal Theatre Box Office on 0818 300 000, Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300 and the boxers on the bill.

For all the latest visit brianpeterspromotions.com or check us out on Facebook or Twitter.

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IABA Press Officer Bernard O’Neill

Paddy Barnes will open his account at the 2012 Olympics versus the experienced Thomas Essomba of the Cameroon on Saturday.

Essomba beat (13-10) Abdelali Darra of Morocco this afternoon to set up the weekend’s last-16 clash with the Belfast light-flyweight.

Barnes, a bronze medal winner at the 2008 Olympics – Essomba also represented his country at the 2008 Games – received a bye into the last-16.

Michael Conlan, who also received a bye, also faces an African opponent in the last-16.

The Belfast light-flyweight meets Ghana’s Duke Akueth Micah on Friday evening. Micha saw off the challenge of Jason Olivier Lavigilante (Mauritius) on an 18-14 decision on Monday night.

John Joe Nevin is the next Irish boxer in action. The two-time AIBA World medalist meets Kanat Abutalipov of Kazakhstan in the bantamweight class on Wednesday afternoon.

The Nevin versus Abutalipov 56kg duel is a repeat of the 2009 AIBA President’s Cup semi-final in Baku, Azerbaijan which Nevin won 15-2.

Irish team captain Darren O’Neill is between the ropes versus Germany Thursday, followed by his fellow southpaw and Irish team-mate Adam Nolan, and Conlan, on Friday.

Katie Taylor makes her Olympic debut against either Great Britain’s Natasha Jonas or America’s Queen Underwood at approximately 1.30pm on Monday next.

Liverpool-born southpaw Jonas and Seattle-native Underwood clash on Sunday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Irish team manager has hailed Team Ireland supporters at the ExCel venue.

“The supporters have been absolutely brilliant and they are really getting behind the team. It’s like walking into the National Stadium in Dublin.The Irish fans are creating an electric atmosphere, ” he said.

The Irish squad began a light training session at 5pm this afternoon.

2012 Olympic Games

July 28th – Last 32

56kg – Bantamweight – John Joe Nevin (Ireland) beat Dennis Villy Ceylan (Denmark) 21-6

75kg – Middleweight – Darren O’Neill (Ireland) beat Muideen Olalekan Akanji (Nigeria) 15-6

July 29th – Last 32

69kg – Welterweight – Adam Nolan (Ireland) beat Carlos Sanchez Estacio (Ecuador) 14-8

August 1st – Last 16 (1.30pm session)

56kg – Bantamweight – John Joe Nevin (Ireland) v Kanat Abutalipov (Kazakhstan)

August 2nd – Last 16 (1.30pm session)

75kg – Middleweight – Darren O’Neill (Ireland) v Stefan Haertel (Germany)

August 3rd – Last 16 (8.30pm session)

52kg – Flyweight – Michael Conlan (Ireland) v Duke Akeuth Micah (Ghana)

69kg – Welterweight – Adam Nolan (Ireland) v Andrey Zamkovoy (Russia)

August 4th – Last 16 (1.30pm session)

49kg – Light-flyweight – Paddy Barnes (Ireland) v Thomas Essomba (Cameroon)

August 6th – Quarter-final (1.30pm session)

60kg – Lightweight – Katie Taylor (Ireland) v Queen Underwood (USA) or Natasha Jonas (Great Britain)

Irish 2012 Olympic squad

49Kg (Light-flyweight) Paddy Barnes (Holy Family BC, Belfast)

52kg (Flyweight) Michael Conlan (St John Bosco BC, Belfast)

56kg (Bantamweight) John Joe Nevin (Cavan BC)

60kg (Lghtweight) Katie Taylor (Bray BC, Wicklow)

69kg (Welterweight) Adam Nolan (Bray BC, Wicklow)

75kg (Middleweight) Darren O’Neill (Paulstown BC, Kilkenny)

Team Manager: Des Donnelly

Coaches: Billy Walsh, Zuar Antia, Pete Taylor

Physio: Conor McCarthy

Strength & Conditioning: John Cleary

Performance Psychologist: Gerry Hussey

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By Jonny Stapleton
KATIE Taylor flies the flag for female boxing in Ireland and indeed the world over the next few weeks, but as the nation gets behind the Bray  wonder woman’s gold serach another Irish female fighter is targeting fight success.

Whilst Taylor has been collecting an astonishing fourth World Championship gold and qualifying for London, Ireland’s professional puncher Christina McMahon has been suffering a frustrating period of inactivity.

The record breaking Irish kick boxing champion, has seen a number of fights fall through but is determined to become the first female professional champion of Ireland.
Indeed the former kick boxing World champion has told all three fighters eligible to fight for an Irish title that she would like to trade leather with them and is willing to compromise when it comes to weight if need be.

“I am still looking for a fight. I have been waiting to get back in the ring. I am looking to fight someone better than me. I have been training for a fight with someone who is better than me, but she hasn’t taken the fight and will not take the fight. I am just waiting to get the opportunity,” McMahon told Irish-boxing.com.

“We have three girls eligible for an Irish title they are a weight above me. I was willing to go up to their weight or fight at a catch weight, but after seeming willing to fight they all pull out. I don’t know why. I would fight any of those girls and it would be an honour to fight for an Irish title.”

Non injury related ring sabbaticals common to the pro game, but certainly not the amateur and McMahon admits she would love to be in Katie Taylors ring boots as her Olympic debut approaches.

The Westerner, however took up boxing past the 34 year old Olympic limit, but will be in London to support her fellow female fighter.
Indeed McMahon is a fan of Taylor’s and claims she has been a great ambassador for the female version of the sweet science.

“I have my ticket for the final booked. I am going to cheer her on. There is a big difference in the attitude toward women’s boxing and its noticeable. There is a real positive attitude now. She has put women’s boxing on a pedestal and not just for Ireland for the world,” the undefeated professional added.  “At the end of the day women in boxing and Ireland needed Katie Taylor to do what she did. I would have loved to have the chance to do what Katie will do and box in the Olympics but I took it up at 34 and it was too late. I will do the next best thing though and go and cheer her on.”

McMahon going over to support fellow Irish female fighter Taylor

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By Jonny Stapleton

VOCAL and substantial Excel Arena Irish support has already been one of the stand out element of the Olympic Games from an Irish perspective, but head coach Billy Walsh worries massive Irish support could be a hindrance rather than help.

Adam Nolan praised the Irish in the Excel after his win on Sunday claiming they were a key factor in his debut win, but fellow Wexford man Walsh is concerned.

The High Performance main man isn’t to worried about fans in the stands, but more so distractions they can bring after a bout. Walsh is keen to keep the Irish team focused and in a specifically designed insulated performance orientated frame of mind and is wary of distractions. And as London is so close Walsh worries about the volume of said distractions.
“I’ll give you a statistic, Our best results have come in Eastern Europe and Asia. You can work out why that is, nobody goes. That cocooned performance mindset we have them in can be interrupted- especially being at home with family and friends- and it is really a home from home,” Walsh explained pre Olympics.

“That is the only worry I have. That’s why we brought the parents in (weeks before the Games) to speak with them as well about the type of communication we wil lbe having with each other and how often they can see them or can’t see them.  In Beijing there was a hand full of people. After they fought they spoke to their friends, there was the odd coach there and they went back on the bus to the village. In londn if they come up to where the crowd is there will be thousands of Irish and it will be mayhem.”

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By Jonny Stapleton

ADAM Nolan admits the sense of occasion surrounding his Olympic debut hampered his performance last Sunday night, but claims the pressure is now off his shoulders and transferred to those of the Russian he faces in the next round.

The Bray BC Welterweight progressed passed stage one with an 8-14 win over Carlos Sanchez Estacio, but the gloss was taken off what should be viewed as an impressive win as Equador’s best welter pilled on the pressure in the last stanza.
Nolan believes he didn’t perform to his best stressing the stage and atmosphere got to him.

However, the two time Irish champion is adamant he is pressure free now and claims he will be carefree against the fancied Andrey Zamkovoy who defeated China’s Qiong Mai Maitituerson 16-11 on the same day.

“I was a little over-eager to get in there and get the win. It’s like a cauldron and I was a little taken aback at the start, but without the crowd I wouldn’t have got through it. I made it hard for myself but the main thing is I got through. My performances to get here were top-class and there will be pressure on the Russian. I will go out there and throw off the shackles and try to box with a free spirit.”

Nolan was the third Irish winner after Saturday’s victories for John Joe Nevin and Darren O’Neill and he added: “We have all sorts in the team and we’re bonding really well. We are all behind each other 100%.”

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POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. (July 29, 2012) – Undefeated featherweight prospect Patrick “The Punisher” Hyland is on the brink of establishing an Irish boxing record for the most consecutive victories starting a professional career.

Dublin-native Hyland (26-0, 12 KOs), now living in Marlboro (NY), shoots for his 27th Irish record-setting win in a row on Wednesday night, August 8, headlining an outdoor show, presented by Pretty Girl Promotions, at Sahlen Stadium in Rochester, New York.
Hyland takes on hard-hitting Dominican Carlos “El Flaco” Fulgencio (19-7-1, 12 KOs) in the 10-round main event.

Promoted by Final Round Promotions/Team Snooki Boxing, Hyland tied the record of 26, set by “Ireland’s” John Duddy in 2009, with his devastating fourth-round stoppage of Frankie Archuleta (27-9-1) this past May in Poughkeepsie.

“This will be a fantastic achievement and I’ll always be remembered in Irish boxing history when people see my record,” Hyland said. “I’d really like to top it off with a world title. As a fighter, I’m thinking that I need 10 strong weeks of training and I’d be ready to fight anybody in the world, but I realize my management team is preparing me for a world title shot and it takes time. They’ve kept me very busy. This is my third fight this year andI hope to be fighting again in September or October. I work hard in the gym every day, especially on my defense, and you never really stop learning in this game. I watch big fights and all of the different styles to plan how I’d plan to beat each style.

“I’m excited about fighting in Rochester because there are a lot of Irish families there and it’s not too far for my friends to get to from Poughkeepsie. My opponent is a stand-up fighter with 12 knockouts in 19 fights. He has a good counter-right that I have to look out for.”

The fast rising, 28-year-old Hyland is the reigning World Boxing Federation (“WBF”) featherweight champion, who is rated No. 4 by the North American Boxing Organization (“NABO”), as well as No. 5 by the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) and United States Boxing Association (USBA).

“We at Final Round Promotions/Team Snookie Boxing are excited and proud of the possibility that Patrick will set a new Irish boxing record for 27 consecutive wins without a loss to start his professional career,” Final Round Promotions/Team Snookie Boxing Vice President Mike Pascale added. “Patrick has the heart and mind of a champion. His work ethic and preparation for any fight is incredible. There is no doubt that Patrick is a force to deal with in the featherweight division and it will not be long before he fights for a major world title.

“So, I say to any promoters of featherweight champions, bring it on, if you’re willing to take the risk.”

Here’s a closer look at the longest natural Irish-born boxers’ streaks to start their respective pro careers:

1.        (tie) 26, John Duddy, 2003-09

Patrick Hyland, 2004-Present

3.        25, Johnny Caldwell, 1958-61

4.        20, Wayne McCullough, 1993-96

5.        17, Jimmy McClarin, 1923-246.

6. 16 Stevie Collins, 1986-97.

7.       15, Andy Lee, 2006-08

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By Jonny Stapleton
SEANIE Monaghan is on the cusp of boxing on the box and becoming a big TV fighter.

The Long Beach resident and Irish title hopeful can push his record to 15 unbeaten at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City on Thursday night and believes victory will grant him a significant slot on a major card.

The promoters are already circling the American born fighter of Navan decent and are fighting outside the ring for his signature.

Monaghan is focused on over coming George Armenta (14-9) first but is confident fight number 16 will see him progress to the that all important next level.

“Well, the thing is that we have every big promoter looking to sign me.  We have been holding out, but they have been dangling the TV date out in front of me,” he told the Irish Voice. “At the moment we are leaning towards Lou DiBella.”

Monaghan is looking down the road a little, but the big ticket selling, big punching, aggressive fighter can only see one result on Thursday, a Monaghan win.

“I am going to be the bigger and stronger guy. With my style of fighting, my trainer (Higgins) and manager (PJ Kavanagh) feel that I do better in the longer fights.”

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By Kevin Byrne, Seconds Out columnist in the Irish Sun every Saturday – Twitter @kevoobyrne

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