McCloskey Ring Return: Dudey out again on September 10

JUNE 13-2011 Jonny Stapleton

Paul McCloskey will fight for the first time since his controversial World title defeat to Amir Khan on September 10 in what will most likely be a light welterweight WBA interim title fight.

A purposed bout with Marcus Maidana eventually proved to expensive for the Derry stylist, as Golden Boy have accepted a lucrative offer for the Argentine to fight Robert Guerrero on August 27.

However, team McCloskey are confident the former European champions eagerly anticipated return, which will be held in Northern Ireland, will be a scrap with a top ten opponent for the by then vacant WBA interim strap.

The WBA have are currently in the process of promoting Khan to ‘Super champion’ meaning the winner of current interim belt holder Maidana and Guerrero will become world champion.

That in turn enables McCloskey, who still feels aggrieved by the manner of his Khan defeat, to challenge for the interim belt and offers the Dungiven stylist passage back to the big time.

“Paul will definitely fight on September 10 in Northern Ireland. We are looking at a number of venues including the Odyssey Arena. The fight will be on SKY Sports and we are confident it will be for the WBA interim title. We still have a few blanks to fill in, but the main thing is Paul is back and in a big fight,” McCloskey’s manger Francie McNicholl told Mirror Sport.

“The Maidana fight just proved to rich in the end. Guerrero came back with an offer we couldn’t match. Marcos was interested in coming here and we had positive talks with his team, but Golden Boy accepted a lucrative Guerrero offer.”

Former Khan foe and light welterweight big name, Maidana may be off the radar,but McNicholl is confident McCloskey’s comeback will be against world renowned fighter.

“We are just waiting to here back from the WBA but again it looks like the fight will be for their interim belt and against someone in the top ten. There are few options out there and we will have more news over the coming weeks.”

Meanwhile McCloskey’s long time friend and stable mate Eamonn O’Kane makes a step up in class in just his second pro outing.

The former WSB fighter and 2010 Commonwealth gold medallist fights the durable and experienced Tommy Tolan on a Stephen Haughian topped Lurgan show on June 25.

The 29 year old, who made short work of his first paid fight in Cardiff last week, is looking to be moved along quickly.

Indeed the powerful middleweight has already set his sights on European champion Darren Barker and hopes to fight on the under card of his next show in a bid display his continental credentials.

“We were finding it hard to get fighters to accept a fight with Eamonn, but Tommy Tolan has step in now. Tommy is tough pro and is the type of test we want for Eamonn even at this early stage. We can’t move Eamonn along fast enough and we are looking to step him up all the time. We hope to have him on the under card of Darren Barkers next European title defence. We are in talks with Matchroom re that. It gives us the chance to see Darren and to Darren’s team Eamonn’s capabilities.”