UK Boxing: Egan Hits Back After Buncey Rant; Munroe Turns Detective

Tommy Egan has hit back after being on the wrong end of a Buncey Rant and called for a head to head with the boxing pundit. The Irish promoter has defended his decision to offer the winner of Saturday nights brilliant British Featherweight Title Fight between Martin Lindsay and Paul Appleby a possible shot at IBF Featherweight World Champion Cristobal Cruz..

Respected boxing pundit, Steve Bunce went on the offensive live Setanta Sports after the thrilling show, claiming any pre-fight World Championship talk was not only ridiculous but dangerous.

Indeed the ability of both men to step up to world level was the main post bout talk, and Buncey’s verbal volley and raucous rant, although not directed directly at Egan, has prompted response from former amateur fighter turned promoter.

Egan revealed his pre fight world title offer prompted such talk and subsequently inspired the rant.

Egan is looking for a right to reply and challenged Buncey to a debate on his popular show, claiming that the respected and entertaining pundit had the benefit of hindsight before letting fly.

The promoter, who made the offer with full approval of Art Puello President of Banner Promotions, highlighted Lindsay’s top ten IBF world ranking and the fact Appleby was ranked number one in Europe as justification for the pre fight tender.

Egan also stressed the fact he talked to both camps, which are in the best position to judge the level their fighters are capable of fighting at, before the British title fight and both responded positively.

“I have a great deal of respect for Steve Bunce. I love his show on Setanta. I watch it religiously. I love the way he deals with boxing issues and his lively and entertaining approach. I do respect his opinion and I am delighted he speaks his mind, but I think I deserve a right to reply,” Egan explained

“Firstly I think it’s a little easier to say it would be dangerous to put them in the ring with a world champion after the fight. I will admit in my opinion I think it would be best for Lindsay to have two or more fights before taking the step up. And speaking to Buncey after fight we both agreed on that.

“But the offer was made on the basis that Martin Lindsay was ranked number nine in the IBF world rankings before the fight. Now it’s known by everyone that once you are in the top ten you have every right to challenge. Also Appleby was number one in the European rankings and reasoning says the next step is the world stage. I did talk with both camps and both said they would jump at the chance of a world title fight. Now they are both aware of what their fighters are capable of, and both developed two talented punchers, so I would respect and trust their opinions.

“Also we did state the offer did come with the stipulation that reigning champ Cristobal Cruz comes through his next defense, which takes place in July. That means the fight might not take place until later this year, all factors which were taken into account when making the offer,” Egan explained before revealing the offer is still on the table.

“Obviously we would have to sit down with Martin Lindsay’s manager John Rooney and Adam Booth and Hayemaker Promotions and work something out. But it’s a very exciting proposition. Belfast boxing is buzzing at the moment and the crowd in the Ulster Hall on Saturday was second to none. Imagine what they would be like for a world title fight in an atmospheric and packed Kings Hall.”


RENDALL TURNS DETECTIVE

RENDALL MUNROE has been left baffled in his efforts to find out information on big fight opponent Issac Nettey.

The Leicester bin man has spent hours looking for reports and tapes on the Ghanaian who he meets for the vacant Commonwealth super-bantamweight title at Crowtree Leisure Centre, Sunderland on Saturday but drawn a blank.

And the 28-year-old southpaw hopes he is lot easier to hit than it is getting details about Nettey who his boxing outside his home country for the first time.

European champion Munroe (18-1) says: “I am going into the fight blind, but I have complete trust in my manager Mike Shinfield and promoter Frank Maloney.

“They get the opponents and I knock them over, but if I hope to fight for a world title this year I should be beating guys like Nettey unless he is some second coming of Muhammad Ali that nobody knows about.”

Shinfield added: “It is very difficult to find Nettey’s complete record. He is the current IBF continental African champion though and is reasonable opponent.

“If Rendall wins he is a double champion, which gives you a little bit more bargaining power when you’re talking about world title fights.”

Maloney has offered WBA champion Bernard Dunne £200,000 or a promotional share to face Munroe, but the Dubliner has vanished off the face of planet earth since the offer was made.

Maloney said: “I hope Bernard has stopped celebrating his recent world title win, because there is the biggest purse of his career waiting if he defends against Rendall.”

Top of the bill is European light-middleweight champion Jamie Moore (31-3) who makes the first defence of his title when he faces Ukraine’s former amateur star Roman Dzuman (23-6-1).

Mike Tyson conqueror Danny Williams (40-7) risks his British heavyweight title in a rematch against John McDermott (25-4).

The special attraction for Wearside fans is the homecoming of Olympic bronze medallist Tony Jeffries who has his second professional contest.

All tickets for the show have been sold, but Sky Box Office will be screening the championship fights and Jeffries bout live as part of their blockbuster night of action which includes Ricky Hatton’s big fight with Manny Pacquiao.