McCloskey itching for title action

Paul McCloskey is itching to get his hands on a European title. The undefeated Dungiven man will share the spotlight with fellow Derry native John Duddy on October 20th as he looks to gatecrash the European rankings..

The former Irish amateur champion may have just a dozen professional fights behind him but the silky skilled southpaw believes he’s ready for anyone.

Trainer John Breen agrees and the Belfast man is confident that McCloskey will emerge as the best of the current crop of Irish professionals.

“I’ve said from day one that Paul can go on to be the best of them all,” said Breen. “I see him day in, day out in the gym and I know what he’s capable of. The bigger the challenge the better Paul will perform and I believe he’s world class. All Paul needs is the chance to prove that and I know Brian Peters can deliver that for him. “

McCloskey has been busy of late with two impressive wins in recent months. On the last John Duddy card the 28-yea-old southpaw stopped teak tough Argentinean Ivan Orlando Bustos with a devastating body shot and just last weekend at the Point he completely outclassed Italian Alfredo Di Feto over eight rounds.

Di Feto was coming off a close decision loss to he touted Brunet Zamora in an Italian title fight but McCloskey left no doubts dropping his opponent in the seventh round en route to a landslide points win.

Joining McCloskey on the Celtic Tigers event will be friend and sparring partner Stephen Haughian. The Lurgan welterweight is undefeated in his ten professional outings to date and like McCloskey he’s closing in on a title fight.

Opponents for Duddy, Macklin and McCloskey and details of the rest of the card will be confirmed later this week.

Tickets for the “Celtic Tigers” Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium, Dublin on October 20th are priced from €50 and will be available from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets.