Headline News

Ciaran McVarnock overwhelms opponent to secure win in Belfast homecoming fight

Ciaran McVarnock made a triumphant return to the ring tonight in Belfast.

The New Lodge featherweight had not fought in his home city for two years, and had not fought at all since last May, but made his return on the inaugural Ginley Promotions bill at the Devenish Venue.

His opponent on the ‘Dust Up at the Devenish’ cad was experienced Croat Antonio Horvatic and McVarnock took a dominant points win in the four rounder.

While he had had less than a round’s worth of action in the last fourteen months, McVarnock looked sharp from the off, swarming his Balkan opponent.

‘Bunty’ put in some good work to the body in the first two, before Horvatic made the third stanza quite competitive.

There was no swing in momentum however, and McVarnock pushed hard in the fourth and final win to see out the win.

Going to the scorecards with no doubts, McVarnock was awarded the bout with a tally of 40:36.

The win sees the Belfast man move to 7(1)-0-1, while the rugged Horvatic dropped to 10(5)-32(8).

McVarnock, one of many who have recently signed up with MTK, will now look to stay active and build on this win following a frustrating 2016.

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

x