The Hunky Dorys Fight Night has officially become the biggest event in Irish boxing history with the news that Ireland’s finest amateurs will also be in action at The O2, Dublin on Saturday, March 21st. Olympic hero Kenny Egan, World and European champ Katie Taylor, Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes and World Junior champ Ray Moylette will all face international opposition as our best professionals and amateurs fight side by side at The O2..
Headlining the event is the WBA World Super Bantamweight title fight as Dublin’s own Bernard Dunne challenges for the ultimate prize against World Champ, Ricardo Cordoba while Dublin’s Jim “The Pink Panther” Rock and hot Cavan prospect, Andy Murray will also be in action.
Promoter Brian Peters believes it all adds up to one of the biggest sporting events to hit Ireland in a long time. “We have the first World title fight in Dublin in 13 years with a Dubliner getting to challenge for the World title in his hometown for the first time ever.
“Then when you add some of the biggest achievers in Irish amateur boxing history like Kenny Egan, Katie Taylor, Paddy Barnes, Ray Moylette and top pro’s like Jim Rock and Andy Murray you have a recipe for a historic night of Irish sport.
The unique event came about after Peters struck a deal with the Boxing Union of Ireland and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association so that both the professional and amateur codes can share the spotlight on the same event.
Dominic O’Rourke the president of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association said, “We’re very happy to be part of the event at The O2. It’s a big occasion for Irish boxing and will give our amateur boxers the kind of platform they have always wanted. We’re very happy to be working with Brian on it and hopefully it will be a big success.”
The President of the Boxing Union of Ireland, Mel Christle echoed his counterparts sentiments saying, “This brings the promotion of Irish boxing on to a whole new level. To have the cream of Ireland’s boxers both professional and amateur on the same bill is a dream come true.”
Peters revealed that the IABA are working on a mouth watering clash that would see Kenny Egan fighting a rematch of his Olympic final against China’s Zhang Xiaoping. Egan says he would relish the opportunity to set the record straight with his Olympic rival at The O2.
The Dubliner southpaw said, “I’m keeping my fingers, toes and everything else crossed that it comes off. The offers out there for him so hopefully he’ll accept. It would show great sportsmanship on his part to come over and give me a rematch in Ireland. The last time I boxed him was in a huge venue full of Chinese people so it would be nice to fight him in a huge venue over here full of Irish people this time!
“There’s no bad blood between us or anything and when all is said and done he beat me in the Olympic final. He has the Gold medal and I’ve no problem with that but it certainly would be nice to have another shot at him and this time on home ground.”
Double World and European Champion Katie Taylor is another of our amateur starts relishing the opportunity of fighting at The O2.
The Bray woman said, “It’s a huge opportunity for me to fight in front of a big crowd and it will be a tremendous experience. It’s really going to be a big night for Irish boxing and a great chance for me to perform on a big stage so I’m looking forward to it.
“The atmosphere at Bernard’s fights is normally amazing so I can only imagine what it’s going to be like in The O2. I’m sure it will be jammed out.”
A man no stranger to big fight nights in Dublin is Jim Rock and having made his pro debut at the old Point Theatre in 1995 he’s delighted to be back there in the new O2.
“It’s always been a fabulous venue but the new O2 is out of this world. It’s going to be a fabulous event so hopefully the public will come out in their droves to support it because I don’t think there’s ever been a night like it for Irish boxing. It’s great to see the amateurs on it as well and especially Katie Taylor and Paddy Barnes because they’re my neighbours! I often train alongside Katie at the gym in Bray and when I’m up at Belfast in John Breen’s gym Paddy Barnes is only up the road from me.”
Despite having set a record by becoming a four weight Irish Champion last time out Rock is refusing to rule retirement in or out ahead of his fight with Italian, Alessio Furlan on March 21.
Rock who will turn 37 on March 12th said, “I’m not going to cry wolf anymore and say that this will be my last fight although it would be the perfect way to end my career. People don’t believe me any more when I say I’m retiring so I’m not go to say anything this time. I made my debut at the old Point in 1995 and when I fought there in 2007 I said that would be my last fight but two years later I’m still going. I’ll see how I do in this one and I’ll make a decision after the fight.”
The March 21st event will be all new to unbeaten lightweight Andy Murray with the Cavan man yet to step foot in the new O2. “I’m actually going to a gig there next month so I’ll get a taste of it then but for the moment I’m just focusing on my fight in Craigavon at the weekend.
“Once I get that out of the way I’ll look ahead to The O2 fight but it’s something to look forward to alright. To box on an occasion like that will be something special and something to remember for the rest of your life. These are the kind of nights you want to be involved in and with the pro’s and amateurs on the same card as well it should be a great night.”
Meanwhile Ladbrokes.com have released their odds for the top of the bill World title clash between Bernard Dunne and Ricardo Cordoba with the Panamanian a 1/3 favourite while the challenger is a 9/4 shot. The draw is available at 20/1.
Tickets for the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night are priced from €50 and are available now from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie). Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
Egan and Taylor primed for Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night
Following their medal winning exploits in 2008 it’s hard to believe that 2009 could be any better for Olympic hero Kenny Egan and reigning World and European champ Katie Taylor but 2009 is already shaping up to be another great year for both amateur stars.
Egan is set for a busy few months culminating in his bout on the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night at the O2 on March 21st. The Dubliner is hoping to lure Olympic rival Zhang
Xiaoping to Ireland in a rematch of their Olympic final In Beijing last year but first he has some domestic business to attend to. The Irish Senior Championships get underway at the National Stadium this weekend with Egan looking to make it an incredible 9 Irish titles in a row.
“The seniors are my main focus right now,” said Egan. “The weigh in’s are on Friday and I can’t let anything else distract me from that at the moment. It’s going to be a busy few months because we have an International against the U.S. coming up too at the end of February but for now all I’m looking at is the Seniors and winning that ninth title.”
Egan admits that the lure of the professional game was attractive but having made his decision to remain faithful to the amateur code he says he’s a lot more content.
“I made the decision to stay amateur, it was a tough decision and I agonised over it for 4 months but I’ve made my decision now to stay amateur and aim for the London Olympics in 2012. I’ve no regrets and I’ve no intentions of turning professional.
“It’s definitely back to business now, I enjoyed my time off after the Olympics but since I’ve made the decision to stay amateur I’ve been keeping the head down and training hard. In the last couple of years there has never been more than 3 entries at light heavyweight but there’s 8 entrants this year so people obviously want to get a crack at me and I’m there to be shot at now.
“I know I’m going to have to bring my A game to the ring. The other guys will be boxing out of their skin because if they were to beat me it would be a huge scalp for them.”
Although his current focus is on domestic affairs Egan admits that the bout at The O2 on March 21st is a very attractive proposition. “It’s going to be great to be boxing on such a big occasion at The O2 and especially on home turf. It’s going to be a super experience and I’m really looking forward to it.
“I went to see Coldplay there in December and it’s a very impressive venue. I was in there again last week when it was empty and it was great to get in there and have another look around and actually picture a boxing ring in there. It’s going to be some night, Brian Peters always puts on a good show and this has the makings of something special.
It will also be a special night for Neilstown in Dublin with both Egan and Bernard Dunne local to the area. Egan says the impact of their successes is clear to see in the locality. “My own club in Neilstown is full to capacity at the moment but it’s not just Neilstown, clubs all over the county are jam packed full of kids these days and the sport at amateur and professional level in Ireland is booming at the moment.”
Across the city in Bray, Katie Taylor is also gearing up for a big 2009 and she’s hoping for some big news before she steps between the ropes at The O2. Taylor has been waiting on the inclusion of women’s boxing into the Olympics for what seems like an eternity now but she’s hopeful that the sport will get the green light for the 2012 games in the next month.
“Originally it was looking like there wouldn’t be a decision made until October but I’ve heard that it might be brought forward so hopefully I might even know for sure before this fight comes around on March 21st. All the signs are positive that it will be included so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.”
While a Gold medal in 2012 is the long term target Taylor believes that her bout at The O2 next month could also be a career highpoint – although she admits that the night will come with a few butterflies. “I’ll probably be a little nervous fighting in front of such a big crowd but I think that’s only natural. I’m always a little nervous before a fight but I’ve fought in big competitions like World and European Championships so I’m used to fighting under a bit of pressure.
“There’s always pressure to win now every time I go away to a major competition but I know if I work hard and put everything in to my training then I’m giving myself the best chance possible. The important thing is to enjoy the big occasions as much as possible and hopefully I can do that next month as well.”
Tickets for the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night are priced from €50 and are available now from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie). Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
Rock – “I won’t fall foul of Furlan”
Jim Rock predicts that he could be in for a rough night when he takes on Italian warrior, Alessio Furlan at The O2 on March 21st on the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night.
The “Pink Panther’s” clash with Furlan is just one of the supporting bouts to Bernard Dunne’s WBA World Super Bantamweight title challenge on what promises to be a huge night of boxing in Dublin. Rock knows plenty about the Turin native having provided expert analysis for RTÉ during Furlan’s fights with John Duddy and Matthew Macklin.
“He’s a tough, hard man,” said Rock. “He’s very experienced, very strong and to be honest he can be quite dirty too at times. He certainly isn’t shy about using his head so I’ll have to be careful of that but he’s someone I’ve always fancied having a go at. He’s a former Italian champ and also held an IBF Mediterranean title so he’s been around and fought some of the very best.”
Despite being considerably older than Macklin or Duddy the Dubliner says he will be out to make a statement by disposing of Furlan quicker than his Irish middleweight rivals. Duddy stopped Furlan with just seconds remaining in the tenth and final round of their clash back in July of 2007 while Macklin halted the Italian visitor in 8 rounds a few months later.
“My intention would be to get rid of him quicker that either Duddy or Macklin did,” said Rock. ”That won’t be easy because they’re both good fighters but I’m always up for a challenge and if I can stop him quicker then it might show that there’s life in the old dog yet!”
Furlan though believes the stoppage defeats in both of his previous visits to Ireland were unjust and he’s hoping it will be third time lucky. “I don’t believe I should have been stopped in either of those fights,” claimed the 32-year old. “I was still on my feet and ready to continue so I didn’t agree with the referee’s decision in either fight.
“I don’t think Rock is on the same level as Macklin or Duddy and he isn’t getting any younger so maybe I’ll finally get some luck of the Irish in Dublin this time around.”
As for Rock he joked that he’s looking forward to some “double time” on March 21st. “It’s great because I’ll get two pay cheques in one night! After I’ve fought I’ll shower and get changed and get ready to do some work for RTÉ on the other fights.”
Tickets for the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night are priced from €50 and are available now from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie). Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
Ladbrokes.com Latest Odds
Bernard Dunne V Ricardo Cordoba – WBA World Super Bantamweight Title
Ricardo Cordoba 1/3
Draw 20/1
Bernard Dunne 9/4