Limerick undercard preview

14 May 2010 – By Steve Wellings

Ian Tims withdrawal from a ten-round Irish title clash with Michael Sweeney this Saturday signalled the cancellation of an intriguing grudge match between two solid domestic operators.

Sweeney does still get to feature, against Belfasts Tommy Tolan over four-threes and should win handily against a fighter who has been inactive for the best part of five years.

Stepping up in significance is the Jamie Power-John Waldron fight which sees both men contesting the vacant Irish title at light-heavyweight. Power has had slightly more ring time than Waldron and possesses an all-action style.

Waldron is more of a systematic boxer and if he can withstand the early barrage this could get interesting.

Powers strength and conditioning should be up to scratch for this scrap, Training has gone well, Jamie explained, and I’m working with a nutritionist who has me eating lots of rabbit food and as a result I’m right on the weight!

I’m ready to go, in fact I wish the fight was this weekend because I just can’t wait to get in there and fight for that Irish title.

The fact that the fight’s in Limerick and for the Irish title makes it all the more special, Power added.

I’ve fought in the States as an amateur, in The O2 in Dublin on a big World title card but to win the Irish title in front of my family and friends in Limerick would undoubtedly be the highlight of my career.

This is likely to be a close affair with both men having their moments, but Power can come on strong late to snatch the belt on points and fulfil his hometown title dream.

Fresh from his defeat of Oisin Fagan in the National Stadium Andy Murray gets another run-out, this time over six rounds. 29-year-old Amir Unsworth, an Englishman sporting a respectable 10-2-1 record, provides the stern opposition. Unsworths two defeats both came over ten rounds and he has built himself a solid reputation on the undercard scene.

Talented Cavan-man Murray should have too many skills and the tip is for him to outbox Unsworth over a rough-and-tumble six sessions.

Cuban heavyweight Mike Perez and his compatriot Luis Garcia both feature on this card. Coleman Barrett is off and, remarkably, Perez may now fight Barretts proposed opponent, Edgar Kalnars, as well as his own scheduled foe, Tomas Mrazek.

He’s an incredible raw talent and he wants to start fulfilling his potential and shake up the heavyweight division and pulling off this feat on Saturday night will certainly cause a stir, promoter Brian Peters added, when confirming the amazing proposal.

Garcia meanwhile faces Alexander Sipos over eight three-minute rounds. Sipos has lost his last seven contests but did push Andy Lee hard in Dublin, when they met in a ten-rounder. Garcia may also feature live on RTE television.

18-year-old Paddy McDonagh gets an interesting assignment at super-middleweight when he tackles former Irish light-middleweight king Ciaran Healy over six rounds. McDonagh has skills and has been getting great sparring, but despite being the fresher man he could find himself outworked by the more experienced Healy.

Alan Donnellon makes his pro debut at light-middleweight, taking on Ryan Clark over four-threes. Katie Taylor is off the card after suffering a nose injury.