Magee ready to leave his Mark on ‘Hardhitter’ Rudy

By Jonny Stapleton

Its destination Denmark next for Ireland’s globe trotting champion Brian Magee as he makes the first defence of his WBA interim title against Rudy ’Hardhitter’ Markussen.

Magee is planning a successful Scandinavian stop over en route to his mandatory WBA world title fight with Karoly Balzsay.

The veteran fighter, who claimed the European title in Denmark and the World interim title in Costa Rica, has agreed terms with Marjussen’s promoters Sauerland Promotions and will defend his title in January.

TV issues mean a specific date has yet to be set, but the pair have agreed to trade leather.

Indeed the 36 year old former European and British champion has flown to Alicante for a two week pre fight camp training camp in a bid to get ready for January.

“We received a proposal from Sauerland Promotion which we found acceptable in everyway. We agreed terms and now we are just working on a date suitable to TV. The fight looks set to take place the end of January. The one problem being Mikkel Kessler is rumoured to be out in Denmark in January too and we just have to see how that pans out. The latest however is Kessler won’t be out till March and if there should be no real hold up,” manager Pat Magee told Mirror Sport yesterday.

Markussen certainly won’t be a push over, however his record doesn’t make for as illustrious reading as the former Holy Trinity amateurs.

The Belfast fighter has shared the ring with Lucian Bute, Mad Larsen, Carl Froch and Robin Reid amongst others- and his manager is so confident his charge will ensure the Dane is not so great come January he will begin talks re a WBA world title shot with Balzsay already.

“We are due to go to the WBA Convention in the Ukraine soon. Once there we will sit down with Balzsay’s people and discuss his mandatory defence against Brian. The plan is to make that voluntary defence in January and then challenge for the regular title later in the year.”

Magee’s last outing may have re invigorated and breed new life into the popular fighters career, but it took a little out of the pugilist himself.

The Bernado Checa trained star is now been linked with world title shots and a possible match up with the Super Six winner, but his manager revealed claiming the Interim title in Costa Rica was a gruelling experience.

“It has been three months since Brian fought, but I don’t see a problem in that. Going to Costa Rica to fight was a gruelling experience for Brian. He spent weeks over in South America in the heat and did a lot of travelling. So not fighting till January and the break he will get is good. He is in Alicante now with Louis Furlong, who was a mainstay of the Wexford Boxing Club. Brain is going to use two weeks over there to get gym fit.”