Irish Boxing

http://www.irish-boxing.com/stories/january10/jan10_fagan_ready.html

***an on Murray fight

 

This content is protected

This content is protected

***an ready for war
18 January 2010 - By Oisin ***an I’m absolutely delighted to have been offered this fight. Andy is a great champion and really good lad. I respect him both inside and outside of the ring. I expect him to do some great things in the future for Irish boxing, but he’s only a young fella, so he can afford a little glitch on his record, on his way to becoming a superstar sometime in the future.
Those who have followed my career up to now know that reputations don’t bother me - I’ll fight anyone in the world. I never run from anyone and I will walk through walls to get at my opponent. I fight for the respect of my countrymen and will go toe-to-toe with anyone in the world. I’ve been unlucky at times in the showcase fights up to now, but my luck has to change at some stage and I feel that this is my time to shine.
Unfortunately, politics has been unkind to me in the past, throughout my career and I’ve taken on world champs in their hometowns and on their shows. I’ve never had a high-roller promotional team behind me, who are able to afford the finances it takes to match me with guys with pretty records, who make me look good. I always seem to take on the up-and-coming superstar, or the established champion, in their hometowns; hence some of the controversial split-decision defeats on my record. Now, I find myself once again on another card promoted by my opponent’s promoter, with all the advantages that go along with that.
However, I find Brian Peters to be a stand-up individual and I would expect nothing but absolute even-handedness when it comes to our bout; whether that’s in regards to appointing a neutral referee, judges, or even, having his say with the pundits on RTE’s panel. Anyway, even though Brian promotes some of the fighters on this show, his honesty will be to his own advantage in the end. Since, the very best of Irish talent will be in the spotlight, he has a unique advantage, responsibility and duty to demonstrate Ireland’s boxing talent, whether his fighters that emerge victorious or not and I don't doubt that he'll do all in his power to make things fair and balanced, throughout the build-up and on the night itself.
I'm training in Crumlin, Dublin now and have been there since recovering from the leg-break in the Khan fight. I have had a fantastic team behind me, in DolPhil Promotions, which include brilliant coaches and trainers - my head coach is former amateur superstar and national coach, Philip Sutcliffe; together with the very talented, Joe Clifford, Dave O'Brien Jimmy Upton and Paddy Brady. Then the very astute businessman, Don O'Leary makes up a great group and I am happy to have these lads on my team. A win against Murray will propel us onto bigger and better things, so I’m raring to go - I feel that this is my time! I've been sparring hard and I always train through Christmas, so that's never a problem and I will be in the best shape of my life for this fight.
I won’t make a prediction, but I’ll tell you some facts. Andy’s a better ‘boxer’ than I am- no question about that. However, as far as I’m concerned, there are many amateurs out there, who are better ‘boxers’ than I am. The great equaliser I have in this sport, over most other fighters, is a huge Irish heart and a relentlessness, which is second to none. Most boxing fans know that I had no amateur experience; yet, I still travelled to world champion’s backyards as a professional and gave them the ‘toughest fights of their careers’- and that’s in their words, not mine! So, please God, come February 13, I’ll be able to show everyone why that is.
Andy has had a great amateur career, been senior champion and excelled in hundreds of amateur fights, whereas I had only three amateur fights before being thrown in at the deep-end. I've come up the hard way in this sport and I intend to show Andy how hard I've had it. I know that I’ll be the underdog on the night, but if Andy wants to fight me in the middle of the ring, I’m certain we'll give the fans what they want to see - another super night at the fights. I'm hoping he decides to stand toe-to-toe with me, for the fans sake, as I want them to leave the stadium talking about a potential 'Fight of the Year 2010', to go along with my 2009 award. I like being in exciting fights and bringing a warriors heart each and every time, regardless of the outcome.

 

it was in the sunday life that shane mcguigan has retired:-(

 

yeah that seems strange , he was doing well

did it give a reason ?

 

i havent seen the article...but a mate told its in it...he was expected to fight in this years commonwealths

 

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/detail.asp?id=1432

LISBURN heavyweight Scott Belshaw realises the importance of his January 22 assignment in Brentwood when he meets once-beaten prospect Larry Olubamiwo. In a brutally honest assessment of his career so far, Scott admitted he has not given the best account of himself and is aiming to put that right.


“It was meant to be Tom Dallas originally but then Frank Maloney made the offer and I can’t wait to get in there with big Larry,” he said. “I want to get my career back on line and Larry’s the man in my way. I’m not silly; of course this is a must-win fight for me.”


Both men hold a common opponent in the form of rugged journeyman Daniel Peret. After stringing together seven early-career wins, six by knockout, Scott suffered his first pro loss to Peret in Nottingham (March 2008 ). Three subsequent confidence-building wins (including a revenge win over Peret) were eroded when a short-notice loss to Tyson Fury and Prizefighter defeat to Audley Harrison placed Belshaw in this precarious position.


“I’m confident and realise what’s at stake,” added the 24-year-old, now 10-3 (7). “I’ve been over in London training with Johnny Eames since just before the Prizefighter and Johnny, who I see as a well-respected trainer, was very honest with me. He told me that three weeks wasn’t enough notice to train properly but he saw potential in me and said at the time, regardless of what happened in Prizefighter, that I could come back and he would see what he can do with me. Here I am now, firing on all cylinders.
“I was outclassed in Prizefighter, as simple as that. Audley had too much experience and class for me but I came back to London at the start of November and have had good sparring with Albert Sosnowski. I’m hoping to spar Matt Skelton later this week but due to the weather he hasn’t got down yet. Derek Chisora could be on the sparring list so I’ve no excuses this time and I’m confident that I will beat Olubamiwo. This is my full-time job, my heart and soul’s back in boxing so I just need a promoter backing me now.”


Scott had become somewhat of a boxing nomad, who initially relocated to London when previously promoted by Frank Maloney and trained with Brian Lawrence. Their relationship never quite matured and was terminated following a lacklustre win over Pavol Polakovic at York Hall. A brief spell back with Alan Wilton in Belfast and Scott is now enjoying his time under the stewardship of Eames.


“I had thought about going to the USA but London is the place to be,” Scott explained, “especially with this new training camp. The environment is full of champions and top fighters like Tony Oakey, Billy Joe Saunders, Kevin Mitchell and Matthew Marsh. I believe that I have to be over here to get that type of training, alongside future world champions.


“I’ve seen plenty of Larry’s fights and he was in the gym one day so I spoke with him when he was sparring Ali Adams and he seems like a nice fellow. In my opinion he’s a big, strong guy with an incredible physique who clearly does lots of weights and can certainly punch hard. He’s also raw, a bit like myself sometimes, although I’m learning new things and using my brain not just the brawn. Larry maybe lacks the boxing brain at this early stage of his career but he can clearly wallop so I won’t underestimate him.”
Olubamiwo is a late starter at 31 and will be looking to improve on his 6-1 (5) record. A win could boost him into domestic title contention but the experience, for a man who has never faced an opponent with a winning record, will be invaluable. He has won twice since his sole loss to the aforementioned Peret in May 2009. Belshaw, meanwhile, is looking to erase his losses from public memory.


“Wherever I go, the topic of conversation always comes back to Tyson Fury!” laughed Scott. “I definitely believe that people haven’t seen the best of me yet and I know deep down that I can give a better account of myself than in the last couple of years.


“The Olubamiwo fight is just what I need to springboard myself back into the domestic mix. Winning comes first but if I can put a good performance on as well then it’s a bonus – I’m up for it and no excuses this time, I’ll win.”

 

Carlos should have the inside track on this.

 

This content is protected

 

well gents, any of you looking tickets for the awards night? I've a couple for £10 for ESB forum members. Drop me a PM or an email and I'll give you a shout.

 

can any1 c a surprise result poppin up on any of the fites on the bill for the 13th feb!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Yeah i think ***an might trouble Murray and rob the fight.....
Think Barrett will win and then Big Rogie will totally destroy him..

 

Seconded :thumbsup

 

im not convinced by murray at all to be honest think ***ans gonna win

 

yeah i think ***an can pull it off after murrays poor showing last time out , its a real 50/50