Belghecham promises French double
12 November 2009 – By Mark Doyle
Affif Belghecham is vowing to play his part in a French sporting double over Irish opposition this weekend when he collides with Andy Lee in Limerick on Saturday night.
European Union middleweight title champion Belghecham and Lee will take to the ring shortly after full time in the World Cup play-off clash between Ireland and France at Croke Park, which will be shown on big screens at the University Sports Arena.
Belghecham is adamant that not only will Les Bleus triumph in Dublin, he will emerge victorious in Limerick.
The Irish people have proven that they are warriors over the years, the French champion admitted. You only have to look at their spirited performances on the rugby and football pitches and, of course, in the boxing ring.
But sport is about levels and I believe that unfortunately for the Irish both myself and the French footballers are on a different level to our opponents this weekend.
Belghecham has plenty of respect for Lees boxing ability but believes that he will have too much ring savvy for the gifted Limerick southpaw.
I have watched Lee and its easy to see why everyone is so excited about him in Ireland. He has tremendous potential but I think this fight has come too soon for him and my championship experience will prove the difference on Saturday night, he declared.
RT TWOs live coverage of the event begins at 10:30, directly after their broadcast from Croke Park. Tickets for the Yanjing Fight Night priced from 40 are available from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie), The George Boutique Hotel in Limerick and all usual outlets.
