Anthony Fitzgerald vs Eamonn O'Kane

The other scheduled 6-rounder has been dropped from the card.

Fitzgerald and O'Kane are up next!!!


(I guess Murphy vs. McDonagh is last on, unless it's fallen through)

 

Confirmed; Paddy Murphy vs. Peter McDonagh will be the final bout of the evening.

 

Ya to my surprise Murphy vs McDonagh was promoted as the main event, despite Fitzgerald-O'Kane being for a higher calibre bout and a more prestigious title (Murphy vs McDonagh is for the 'Celtic Warrior' belt).

It's due to the fact this is a homecoming for Murphy, who is much more popular than I realised and only from Newry, which is 15-20 mins from Dundalk. On top of this his original opponent was Michael Kelly, who's a Dundalk native.

 

"Incredible opener to #FitzOKane - rarely a jab lands, bombs away from both fighters. Like the Prizefighter bout before. Can pace last?"

"getting a bit calmer now and there's danger of a boxing match breaking out #FitzOKane"

"beware of speaking too soon. Second part of rd2 breaks into a war again. Fitz bangs low and gets blasted for his trouble, but rebounds. 1-1"

"O'Kane's right eye is becoming severely brusied, Fitzer has a cut to the top of his head and my laptop is taking on sweat"

"Every time one of these lands a hurtful shot, the other makes it his business to inflict pain. Cracking fight - have it 2-2 #FitzOKane"

 

Cut again?! :-(

 

"Fitzer having great joy with a lead right hand a la Floyd "

"OK, that's the only time Fitzer will ever be compared to Floyd. Good round for O'Kane, boxing as he promised to. Have it 3-2 now, O'Kane"

"But @stevenwellings @Irishboxingcom and @gallagherbox have Fitzy up..."

 

Willie Casey hasn't said much but did tweet a few pictures from ringside:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BPAHVB2CIAAUaok.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BPAHegNCIAA9TMt.jpg

 

"Christ. Both land planted-feet straight right hands at the bell and neither man blinks. Tough fight to score, I expect arguments!"

"O'Kane was warned for two low blows in the sixth"

 

6th rd already

 

" "O'Kane yuuur a duurt buurd! You're a scruff buurd!" - The gent behind me. "

"O'Kane docked a point in the eighth for a low blow..."

Thirty more seconds of action before we hit the Over...

 

:nono Entering the ninth any moment...

 

"After the ninth round O'Kane has taken over and is forcing the fight on Fitz - who has his moments but is not doing enough. Nice little war"

 

This needed to be televised. :twisted:

 

"Great fight to the final bell. Both men think they got it but I suspect it'll be O'Kane. I've got it 96-94 OK #boxing #FitzOKane"

 

The vacant Irish middleweight title is awarded to Eamonn O'Kane, scored 97-94 by referee Mickey Vann.