Fitz tops January show
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.
