Irish Boxing

http://irish-boxing.com/stories/october09/oct09_lindsay_arthur.html

 

Thanks Lindsay has been out of t he ring for far too long

 

The Return of the Native: Andy Lee and a European Title

By Dan Fitz-Simons – An interesting pattern has developed in the career path of up-and-coming middleweight, Andy Lee (19-1) 14 KOs. Although the Limerick Assassin trains at the Kronk Gym in Detroit, almost half of his twenty professional fights have been in Europe, including five in Ireland, and three in Germany. Andy’s November 14th bout against French middleweight Affif Belghecham (19-3-1) 4KOs, will be his ninth overseas contest, and the third time he has fought in his native Limerick. Lee has a definite psychological edge fighting on his home turf and personally knows many of the spectators..

Manny Stewart is also well aware that his Castleconnel lad can draw large gates in Germany as well as Ireland. It’s no coincidence that Lee had three fights in Germany and is now a known commodity there. Moreover, the middleweight division, with the exception of Pavlik, is dominated by European champions who fight out of Germany, including Felix Sturm and Sebastian Sylvester. Live gates in Europe have surpassed those in the States, and Lee can earn big Euros fighting over the pond. Belghecham is listed just above Lee in European ratings, and a victory over him would boost Andy’s chances for a shot at a European title.

Lee knows he has to take Belghecham seriously. In addition to being French middleweight champion, Affif holds the EBU-EU title, and has never been stopped. However, Belghecham’s record of three losses, one draw, and only four KOs is unimpressive; it’s unlikely he’ll present a challenge to Lee’s chin. In addition, the only rated opponent on Affif’s resume is Francois Bastient, who was also defeated by Sylvester. If Lee defeats Belghecham, his next target could be British middleweight champion, Mathew Macklin. Irish promoter Brian Peters is interested in a Macklin-Lee showdown that could result in a lucrative payday.

But it remains to be seen how Lee does against Belghecham. Andy rebounded from his only defeat against Brian Vera with four straight victories, two by TKO. With 14 KOs, and registered knockdowns in each of his last sixteen fights, it’s clear the Irish southpaw can bang. However, there’s still some concern over his lack of luster; Lee’s performance in his last four fights has been less than spectacular. Questions also remain regarding his stand-up European style, inability to mix it up on the inside, weak right jab, thin legs, and “a tendency to smile.”

Lee’s fans counter that he’s more relaxed now, since the pressure for a no-loss record is gone. Wins are wins, and Andy at 25 has plenty of time to improve. He also has one of the best trainers in boxing and is able to spar with his stable mate, Vladimir Klitchko. If the Shannonsider defeats Belghecham, he can continue fighting in Europe for a title shot. Although it’s still too early for Sturm, a big money earner against Macklin or Sylvester could be in the cards for next year. Keep winning (“and smiling”) Andy. ​

 

When Worlds Collide
07 October 2009 - By Padraig Hoare Cast your mind back to January 30, 2009. It doesn't particularly strike you as significant, does it? For most of the 4.15 million people that live on this island, it was just another cold Friday night in the throes of winter.
For the 800 or so packed into the CityWest Hotel on Dublin's outskirts, it was a night they will never forget.
Transfixed by the beautiful violence on display, we watched Dublin gladiators Robert Long and Anthony Fitzgerald go to the deepest recesses of their souls. This was the best of middleweight boxing, and it was in the middle of an Irish ring.
For six three-minute rounds, there was barely a lull in the action. And action it was. It was stark and it was grievous. It was bloody and it was brutal. It was the sort of orgy of violence that makes you loathe the sport as much as you love it. In other words, it was a fight fan's dream.
What made the fight even more special was the ravenous crowd throughout the small hall. Anthony Fitzgerald’s supporters made it sound like there were thousands in attendance from Crumlin Boxing Club and beyond, but Robbie Long was not outdone in the numbers stakes either, with the rabid Tallaght crowd roaring on every swing of his arm.
Robbie Long may have had his bloodied gloves raised in victory that night, but Anthony Fitzgerald was no loser. We applauded and cheered until our hands ached and our voices cracked. We may never see the likes of it again, we lamented.
Until now.
The rematch of 2009 is on. Robbie Long (4-0, 1 KO) and Anthony Fitzgerald (4-2, 2 KO) will lace up the gloves again, this time at the spiritual home of Irish boxing, the National Stadium, on Saturday, October 24.
Promoters Don O'Leary and Phil Sutcliffe of DolPhil Promotions are hoping to recapture the magic, and even exceed it. O'Leary told irish-boxing.com that DolPhil had taken the decision to lower the prices to get as many fans in as possible to see the best of the next generation of Irish fighters.
With tickets starting at €10, it is a deliberate attempt to wow the crowds to the National Stadium. O’Leary is hopwing that it is a gamble that will pay off handsomely in the long run.
"It means we won’t be making any money, that’s for sure. But Phil Sutcliffe does this for the love of Irish boxing and I have a successful business (the Mill Inn in Ballyvourney, Co Cork). We’re not in it for the money.
"That said, we can’t keep putting on cards at great expense if people are not prepared to come. We’ve had complaints that our cards are stacked with too many journeymen. But we can’t bring the big guns over because they demand big money. Big money means big crowd. It’s a vicious circle."
Don said the two men have come up with a formula that keeps everyone happy. Keep ticket prices low, and generate fights of genuine Irish interest.
"The most expensive ticket is €50, while a family ticket costs €55. That entitles two adults to bring two children under 16 to the National Stadium. The gallery seats are €20 while children under 16 get in for €10. That is great value to see the next generation of Irish stars. It will also help to keep producing better and bigger shows as we move forward.

 

jamie arthurs was a top amateur...he won a gold at the commonwealth games..but i think lindsay should be able to cope with him

 

the lads on the brit forum are saying rogans fight will be shown before the mccloskey fight live! hope this is true

 

i will be at rogie anyway:good

 

Animal that would nearly make up for a not so good atmosphere-...who do we reckon has the best Irish entrance music..i think you cant beat Jim Rock!

And on the other note id say you would be hard pressed to match the atmosphere at a DUnne fight anywere in the world! Linsey v Appleby was specail too.

and on the other note-

 

im raging i cant go- me and the aul lad were penciled in for it-but(ill prob get slatted for this) i have some rugby related work and fee drinking to do!!!!(i need the cash) I promise i wont miss the next one!

 

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Won't get any slating from me. I'm a lover of all sports. Sure look at the Dunne Cordoba fight how many people were wearing Irish Rugby jerseys - 50% at least. I hate it when people claim you can only love 1 sport and not another! Rubbish. look at Macklin - He loves his hurling and that is great. Kevin Moran - footy and GAA legend. I reckon the Ireland France match at Croke Park will be added spice to the Lee fight now, after all, Belghecham is the French 160 champ! Bring it on.

 

sounds like yet another excuse...

 

no mate u can like other sports...but u can only luv 1:good

 

If anyone here is interested in getting tickets for Bunce Live in Dublin

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this is a decent show tomorrow night...***an is fairly keeping busy atm
http://www.boxrec.com/schedule.php?country=IE&division=&title=&tv=&SUBMIT=Go