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The disputed amateur history behind Martin Quinn v Francy Luzoho


A fight with the potential to steal the show on Saturday is the Dublin derby between Francy Luzoho [1(1)-0] and Martin Quinn [2(1)-1(0)].

The pair fight in a light welterweight six-rounder as part of the TG4-televised portion of ‘Clash of the Titans’ bill at the National Stadium.

However, it won’t be the first time that the two outspoken characters have met in the ring.

During their amateur days, Crumlin’s Quinn and Blanchardstown’s Luzoho fought in one fight and saw another match-up fall through on the day.

Almost five years ago, these Novice-level bouts probably matter little ahead of their six-round clash with 8oz gloves and big media attention.

However, both can still remember the beginnings of their rivalry clearly – albeit slightly differently.

“Me and Francy fought in the Dublin Novices, in the amateurs, in the finals, and he beat me,” Quinn tells Irish-Boxing.com

“Ah, it could have gone either way, I’m not going to say I should have won. It is what it is,” he adds with a smile before bringing up their second fight which still seems to sting a bit.

Quinn explaeined how “then we got into the finals of the October Fest and, on the morning of the finals, I woke up with an abcess.”

“We got there and my coach said that if Francy gave us a week, we could put it back and have the fight but Francy took the walkover.”


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“I fought him twice,” Luzoho clarifies when asked about his memories of his amateur win.

“The first time I fought him, I beat him, it was the Novices.”

“Then, the second time, that’s when the problems started,” notes the St Michael’s Inchicore man before giving his version of events.

“I had trained hard for that, I had trained for a month non-stop, sparring Intermediate champions, Senior boxers, Elite champions, getting my head battered left and right, it was sparring to make me better.”

“Steven [O’Rourke, coach] didn’t leave it to chance, he trained me hard. The day came of the fight, I was dressed and everything, warmed up, and I see him walking in his normal clothes and I see a big massive yoke in his mouth.”

“He had an injury or something to his face, I don’t know, his face was swollen anyway.”

Then came the offer mentioned by Quinn, although Luzoho claims it was not as simple as a new date.

“He came up to me, him and his coach, and they offered me the fight, think about it, in the Crumlin Boxing Club. I was like ‘I trained hard for this and you want me to wait and then fight for the title at your club when I’m here ready and everyone’s here, my Mom, my family?'”

“They gave me the option and the ref came up and told me that I could take it by DQ.”

Luzoho admits that he considered taking the refixed fight but was convinced otherwise by O’Rourke who remains in his corner in the pros.

‘The Butcher Boy’ recalls how “I spoke to my coach, I told Steven how much I was dying for it but he told me that I put the work in and he should have been looking after himself and not let it get to that point.”

“Steven said take it and I agreed with Steven because Steven is like a father to me.”

“So I took it, and I was right to.”

Whatever side of the line you fall on, a score will be settled this weekend.

Tickets for ‘Clash of the Titans’ cost €40 (general), €60 (ringside), and €100 (VIP) and are available from the boxers involved or Ticketmaster (CLICK HERE).

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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