McDonagh Monaghan back on the cards
By Jonny Stapleton
The BUI and New York State Boxing Commission have sanctioned a March 17 Irish title fight between Seanie Monaghan and Paddy McDonnagh and the camps are close to signing a deal.
Monaghan has been linked with every light heavyweight in Ireland since he expressed his desire to challenge for the green strap on the under card of Matthew Macklin and Sergio Martinez’s much hyped middleweight world title fight.
Now having been linked with Ciaran Healy, John Waldron and Michael Sweeney it seems a McDonagh dust up is once again on the cards.
The Long Beach fan favourite claimed the Westmeath fighter, who won the title at the expense of Waldron in Liverpool last month had priced himself out of clash, but it seems all financial issues have been sorted and the fight is close to being made.
“The BUI and New York State Commission have sanctioned a fight between Paddy and Seanie Monaghan. That fight should be made very soon. We have come to an agreement with Lou DiBella and Seanie’s team. There just a little ironing out of the deal to do, which is mostly ticket related, but I am sure it will be made this week,” McDonagh’s manager Tom Ward explained.
Ward is aware fighting in Madison Square Garden on a world title card is a massive opportunity for his charge, but one it seems he would have preferred came along a little later for the young Irish champ.
“This is too big an opportunity to turn down. Especially considering the climate in Ireland at present. Ideally Paddy wouldn’t face a fighter like Seanie this early. He is very young but you can not turn down these chances and if he prepares right he has the talent to beat anyone.”
Whilst team McDonagh thought twice about fighting Monaghan they are adamant they would fight any of the home based domestic fighters.
There has been bit of an Irish inquisition as to who is the rightful owner of the light heavy strap with debates raging on social network sites and generating some pre fight tension, which sells help a few tickets if anything.
Ward stresses McDonagh was offered the chance to fight for the title, took it and by right is the champion of his country at his chosen weight.
The manager also stressed if anyone disputes that they can settle the issue in the ring with the 21 year old.
“Paddy McDonagh is the champion of Ireland he won the belt. We don’t do this mouthing off. He will fight any of the fighters who are mouthing off at present. I think Ciaran Healy deserves a crack at the title and we are willing to give it to him. Michael Sweeney has been talking a good fight but he turned down a clash with Paddy last year and ruined an entire show as a result. We are only too happy to give any of them a shot. Paddy does his talking in the ring.”