Double header at Stadium

3 August 2010

Brian Magee will make the first defence of his European super-middleweight title against Roman Aramian at Dublins National Stadium on September 11 on the same bill as Kiko Martinezs European super-bantamweight title fight against Arsen Martirosyan.

The Brian Peters promoted double-header will represent the first European title fights at the famous South Circular Road arena and will be supported by an impressive undercard that includes an Irish super-middleweight title rubbermatch between champion Anthony Fitzgerald and Robbie Long. Irish and EU champion Paulie Hyland will not only be an interested observer of Martinez vs Martinrosyan, but will himself be in competitive action.

Cuban trio Alexi Acosta, Mike Perez and Luis Garcia, as well as Gavin Prunty and debutant Brendan Fitzpatrick are also scheduled to feature.

Brian Magee has been one of Irish boxing’s great servants and to win the European title on the road in such emphatic fashion was a fantastic achievement and I’m delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to make his first defence at home in what should be a tough assignment against Roman Aramian, said promoter Peters.

As for Kiko I don’t think there is a person in Ireland who doesn’t remember the mayhem he caused here back in 2007 with his win over Bernard Dunne and if he can get past Martirosyan I’m sure he’d relish the chance of returning to defend the title against the likes of Willie Casey and Paul Hyland – but he’ll have his hands full with Martirosyan first and I think their styles could make for a real thriller.

For Magee, the opportunity to defend his title in the Stadium brings back special memories that said he does not expect it to be an easy night.

“I’ve always had fond memories of boxing at the Stadium, he said. I won Irish titles there from the juvenile ranks all the way through to the seniors as well as boxing in internationals for Ireland it’s great to return to such familiar surroundings to make my first defence and I know I’ll get great support there.”

“I’ve sat down with my training team of J R Rooney, Bernardo Checa and Alex Doherty to watch a few of Aramian’s fights and I’m expecting a tough night. He’s a come forward attacking fighter and you can bet he will look to raise his game because it’s the biggest opportunity of his career. I’m experienced enough to know that at this level there are no easy nights so we will be prepared for all eventualities. Between now and fight time my team will devise a fight plan and any contingencies we need to plan for. I’m so close now to my goal of a World title shot that I can’t afford any slip ups.”

Martinez admitted that he is also looking forward to returning to Dublin having beaten Bernard Dunne in just 86 seconds in the Irish capital in 2007.

Obviously I have very happy memories from beating Bernard Dunne in Dublin, that was a great night for me, he said. I’m very confident that the result will be the same this time around. I know that Martirosyan is a good fighter but I am very determined to become European Champion again and I won’t let anything or anyone get in my way.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night priced E40, E75 and E100 go on sale from Wednesday morning and will be available from Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300 or the National Stadium on 087 2511772, the Ticket Office on 086 8120135 or the boxers on the bill.