In a razor-tight fight at the National Stadium, Dublin’s Ian Tims won his long-awaited rematch with Michael Sweeney. The fight on the MGM ‘Second Coming’ card was a competitive and exciting affair and Celtic Warrior Tims edged it on the scorecards to win the Celtic Warriors cruiserweight title after eight rounds of action.

Sweeney started the busier although Tims covered up well and seemed untroubled by the Galway/Mayo boxer’s flurries.

The second stanza saw the fight opens up, with both landing. Tims was the busier in the clinches, but Sweeney scored with the more eye-catching punches.

The third was another tough to score round, Tims continued his good body work, while Sweeney landed the cleaner hooks and uppercuts.

The dramatic fourth round saw Timsy initially dominate, his bodywork tiring Sweeney, but a huge right from the MGM fighter crumpled Tims to the floor. Sweeney went in for the kill, however the Dubliner recovered well to see out.

The knockdown did not seem to phase Tims who again was the busier in the fifth, continuing his ferocious body work and sneaking uppercuts in the clinch.

The sixth was all Tims who bulldozed forward against an obviously tired and hurting Sweeney.

The seventh saw better work from Sweeney who seemed to get a second wind – although Tims was still the busier fighter and landed the cleaner punches.

A grandstand final round enthralled the crowd, Tims was busier but Sweeney threw and landed some big shots as he refused to lie down.

The final bell was greeted by thunderous applause and nobody in attendance was confident which way the bout would be scored – and the all-important referee’s scorecard read 76-75 in favour of Tims who took the belt and the bragging rights after an epic rematch

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)