Haughian gets revenge

16 November 2008 – By Cormac Campbell

Lurgan welterweight Stephen Haughian exacted revenge on Italys Giammario Grassellini on the Castlebar undercard on Saturday night.

The 23-year-old John Breen trained boxer had lost his unbeaten record to Grassellini via a controversial split decision at the Kings Hall last December, but despite picking up a gash over his right eye worked his way to a clear points decision in their rematch. At times Grassellini frustrated, both with negative tactics and indeed gamesmanship. But Haughian kept his cool and boxed well over eight rounds to extend his ledger to 16-1 (6KO).

In 2009 Haughian is expected to step up in to championship class with a British title shot a realistic proposition. However, first he may target the Irish title which is currently held by Corks Billy Walsh.

Further down the undercard there were victories for John ODonnell, Steve Barnes, Logan McGuinness and Damian Taggart.

Stay tuned to irish-boxing.com this week for ringside interviews with Henry Coyle, Oisin Fagan, Paul McCloskey and Carl Froch.