Civil War

8 February 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Andy Murray and Oisin Fagan will contest the Cavan champions Irish lightweight title on Saturday, February 13 as the main event on a card that features an eclectic mix of domestic talent.

Dublin’s National Stadium hosts four title fights in total, with three further contests completing what promises to be a great night for Irish boxing.

The three supporting Irish title fights see Patrick Hyland defend at featherweight against hardman Mickey Coveney, Coleman Barrett and Colin Kenna dispute the vacant heavyweight crown while super-middleweight Anthony Fitzgerald finally gets his chance to tackle Lee Murtagh, after a pullout caused this bout to be cancelled on December 5.

For Murray, this will be the second stage of his rehabilitation following a broken last autumn. In 36-year-old Fagan he meets a resolute, determined challenger who has made a career out of giving good fighters a tough nights work.

Fagan has signalled his intentions, through these pages, even before a punch has been thrown.

I never run from anyone and I will walk through walls to get at my opponent, Fagan said.

I fight for the respect of my countrymen and will go toe-to-toe with anyone in the world. Ive been unlucky at times in the showcase fights up to now, but my luck has to change at some stage and I feel that this is my time to shine.

After dropping a decision to Eddie Hyland in Tallaght last July, Fagan looked out of sorts in beating a couple of journeymen as the Dubliner marked time. There is no doubt he’ll be motivated at the chance to claim a second Irish title in a career that has seen him push the likes of Paul Spadafora and Verquan Kimbrough to the limit.

Andy Murray is the man with the solid amateur pedigree who beat Gary Woolcombe and Femi Fehintola whilst wearing the vest and headguard. The Cavanman occasionally leaves his left hand dangerously low, yet possesses a good jab and steady rhythm. Ecuadorian Alex Bone gave him plenty to think about in his last outing in December and Fagan feels he can replicate that style in this bout.

Fagan won’t want to let the champion dictate the pace and can push Murray hard in the early stages. By the latter part of the fight Murray should have taken control and may even start hurting his older adversary. Some observers feel he could even stop the warhorse but I would be surprised, and impressed, if that were to happen. A 10-round points win for the champion, trained by John Breen, appears the likely conclusion.

Elsewhere on the undercard, Cuban bantamweight Alexei Acosta has been added to proceedings, with an eight rounder versus Middlesbrough’s Gavin Reid. Reid can make it interesting during the early stages but Acosta, who is believed to be something special, should have pummelled the ambition out of him by the midway point.

Limerick featherweight Willie Casey impressed on his last outing in his home city. He meets Ibrar Riyaz over 6×3’s whilst Belfast flyweight Jamie Conlan completes the list with a scheduled four round bout.

Brian Peters promotes this Yanjing Fight Night with selected bouts televised live on RTE across Ireland.