Dublin to play host to Prizefighter tournament

Ireland is set to have its very own version of the Prizefighter tournament.

The eight-man, single-elimination knockout tournament was a knockout success for Matchroom in Eddie Hearn’s early days as boss and a version of the quickfire, action-packed competition is coming to Dublin.

Neither promotional team will confirm or deny the rumours, but sources have told Irish-Boxing.com that the big announcement advertised by Assassin Boxing and Red Corner Promotions set for the Dublin Chamber of Commerce tomorrow evening is Prizefighter related.

The competition will most likely be run under a different name, but it will be in the vein of the tournament that the likes of Martin Rogan, Mike Perez, Willie Casey and Jono Carroll used to propel their careers forward, and will play out in Dublin – most likely the National Stadium – on the first weekend in March.

Eight boxers from these shores, or of Irish descent, will partake in a knockout tournament with quarter finals, semi finals, and a final all taking part on the one night with a big cash prize for the winner

The first of the new installment will, like the only Matchroom Prizefighter to take place on these shores, be populated by middleweights.

Back in 2012, Belfast played host to a special edition featuring Irish middleweights Joe Rea, Ciaran Healy, Simon O’Donnell, Ryan Green, Anthony Fitzgerald, Darren Cruise, JJ McDonagh and eventual winner Eamonn O’Kane.

In Dublin next year a five-figure sum will be up for grabs for the winner with knockout and semi final bonuses also being put on offer.

Irish-Boxing.com has been informed that, while there are a number of confirmed names, that the line-up has yet to be fully finalised for the fan-friendly tournament, indeed it’s said the promotional duo are hoping for a clamour of quality applicants after Wednesday’s announcement.

Matchroom seem to feel the format, which gave boxers at all different stages of their careers a chance to change their careers, has run it’s course, but it could be massive for Dublin.

The Fair City has played second fiddle to the fighting capital Belfast since the retirement of Bernard Dunne and this could inject new life into the sport outside the Titanic City.

If it turns into a series or regular feature it will give a host of new pros – which there are plenty of on these shores – a chance to make serious money and potentially a serious name for themselves, depending on just how popular it becomes.

TV companies are said to be interested and the casual fan-friendly format may also just open the door for boxing to get back onto terrestrial tv on these shores.

All will become clearer tomorrow with the official announcement in Dublin.

Who do you want to see in the tournament?