PAUL McCloskey hopes a win on Friday takes him closer to an all-British world title fight with Amir Khan. McCloskey, 30, makes the first defence of his European Light-Welterweight Championship when he takes on Italian Giuseppe Lauri at the King’s Hall in Belfast. Northern Irishman McCloskey, who will be fighting in front of his home crowd, believes a good performance could lead to a shot at WBA title holder Khan. “I’m very confident of winning the fight and I’m in great shape,” said McCloskey, winner of all 20 of his professional contests..
“I’ve seen him on a DVD and he’s very experienced, he’s been around the block and is very clever.
“But some good boxers have beaten him and I’ve seen some of his defeats. He likes to control the fight and fight at his pace but I’m going to do something he doesn’t like and take the fight from him
“It’s been a roller-coaster ride so far but I’m getting better and I’m hoping to climb the ladder as quickly as possible.
“I think I can go on and fight for World Championships and someone like Amir Khan I know I could beat him.
“Amir Khan is now in America and all I can do is keep moving up the ladder. I think I’m the WBC number eight so I’m getting close to being number one.
“To be fair to Amir Khan he has improved but he’s still vulnerable and not a superstar just yet. He’s getting better but he’s not unbeatable and he’s had a few fights where he’s looked vulnerable.
“He’s a very good boxer but people are talking about him in the same breath as Manny Pacquiao which is ridiculous.
“It’s nice to know that if I keep winning I’m there or thereabouts to fight him.”
Ex-Italian champion Lauri is four years older than McCloskey and has twice fought for the European belt before but lost on each occasion to Brixton’s Ted Bami.
Despite the potential showdown with Khan in the future for McCloskey, he insists he will not be complacent and under-estimate a fighter who has won 50 of 56 bouts.
“I never take my mind off the next job and that job is on Friday,” added McCloskey.
“Every fight I’ve had, I’ve won comfortably but you always have to be ready for whatever comes your way.
“To headline at the King’s Hall will be fantastic and you look at the past names that have fought there.
“If I beat Lauri, the mandatory challenger, then it will be a massive boost for my career.”
Tickets are priced £30, £60 and £90 are available from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets. Contact Ticketmaster 0844 8472455, (0818 719300 from ROI), Julie 07745698372, Francie 07803 282224. Tickets will also be available at the venue on the night.
The show will be broadcast live on Sky Sports 2 from 10.30pm on Friday.
Kings Hall, Belfast
Friday 11 June 2010
12 x 3 mins European Light-Welterweight Championship @10st
PAUL McCLOSKEY (Dungiven) v GIUSEPPE LAURI (Italy)
10 x 3 mins Vacant Celtic Welterweight Championship @ 10st 7lbs
STEPHEN HAUGHIAN (Lurgan) v KEVIN McINTYRE (Paisley)
6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest @ 9st 12lbs
GAVIN REES (Newbridge) v SAMUEL AMOAKO (Ghana)
6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest @ 9st 12lbs
ANDY MURRAY (Dublin) v JOHN BAGULEY (Rotherham)
6 x 3 mins Lightweight Contest @ 9st 12lbs
GARY McARTHUR (Clydebank) v GRAHAM FEARN (York)
6 x 3 mins Super-Bantamweight Contest @ 8st 12lbs
CARL FRAMPTON (Belfast) v IAN BAILEY (Slough)
6 x 3 mins Middleweight Contest @ 11st 9llbs
HARRY MATTHEWS (York) v CIARAN HEALY (Belfast)
6 x 3 mins Light-Middleweight Contest @ 11st 2lbs
KRIS CARSLAW (Paisley) v TBA
4 x 3 mins Flyweight Contest @ 8st 3lbs
JAMI CONLON (Belfast) v DELROY SPENCER (Walsall)
6 x 3 mins Light-Heavyweight Contest @ 12st 8lbs
LUIS GARCIA (Cuba/Ireland) v NATHAN KING (Mountain Ash)