Okay I'm posting this now as I'm heading off to Oxegen music festival tomorrow and won't be around to post this at a better time . On Saturday Bernard Dunne has his second fight since being blitzed in a round by Spaniard Kiko Martinez . Dunne takes on David Marchiano of Argentina who recently fought top Bantamweight prospect Abner Mares(losing almost every round to the very talented Mares but had him shaken a one point and a little stunned on others) and being stopped in 4 by possibly the best Bantamweight in the World Silence Mabuza . Now being honest this is a fight without too much element of danger in it(as most fights are nowdays tbh) but Marchiano did show some positive features against Mares(seen here:[yt]0zOzUNz6L10[/yt]) .Marchiano looks very like Wayne McCullough and how apt that is as he is actually a very similar fighter to him too . He also has a face first style, boxes in a similar stance, is aggressive and tough as nails just like McCullough . Dunne should be able to outbox him but expect it to go to a decision . It's not a bad fight considering Dunne will be in line for a mandatory shot at the winner of Martinez v Munroe II and with Marchiano's style it should be pretty entertaining . Unfortunately the main undercard fight of Matthew Macklin v Willie Gibbs was called off some time ago due to Macklin re-signing with Frank Warren . However there are some decent scraps on the undercard which should keep your interest . Andrew Murray bids to become a 2 weight Irish champion by taking on irish Lightweight champion Peter McDonagh . McDonagh isn't really up to much but Murray looks like one to watch and although I wouldn't have money on him becomming a World level fighter I at least see him getting to European title level . He is a lovely technical boxer and while I don't think he'll bomb the very tough McDonagh out of there I do think he may outclass him to the point of a corner/referee stoppage . Murray is a nice fighter to watch and McDonagh will try and make things tough as always so once again I think this will be a good fight despite not anticipating McDonagh to put up a competitive challenge . Jim Rock is having his final ever fight and his trying to become the first man ever to win an irish title in 4 different weight classes . Jim current holds the record of most Irish titles at different weight classes(3) and will try and break that record against Jonjo Finnegan . Going with the theme of the night I'm guessing not that competitive but still decent to watch . The undercard features Oisín ***an who recently lost split decisions to former IBF Lightweight Paul Spadafora and USBA/NABA Lightweight title holder Verquan Kimbrough . ***an is lined up to face Murray for the Lightweight title in the near future should the Cavan man beat McDonagh and that unlike most of this bill would be a real proper fight . We also get to see the comeback of exciting Cruiserweight Darren Corbett, the former Irish and Commonwealth Cruiserweight champion . Corbett hasn't fought in 4 years but used to never be in a bad fight . Eugene Heagney who was involved in last years Irish fight of the year(although that's just my opinion) against Colin Moffett for the Irish Bantamweight title , is also on the card versus a yet to be named opponent . Heagney is usually good value to money so is worth watching if he's shown . Cruiserweight Ian Tims completes the card . Unlike the bill for Limerick on the 19th this card has a few too many fights where you're a bit too sure of the winner . However putting that aside I do believe it still will be a very enjoyable night of boxing . For those of you who haven't seen him keep an eye out for Murray, he seems pretty decent . Coverage starts on RTÉ 2 on Saturday night at 21:30 and end at 23:55, the fight will also be streamed live from http://www.rte.ie/sport/webcastschedule.html for those of you outside of Ireland . One small favour to ask of someone/anyone, could they post a link to the fight on the main forum on the day of the fight as I know some people from outside of Ireland and the UK enjoy these bills and if I posted the thread now if would either not be seen or forgotten about . Comments on the card are of course welcome as always .
http://www.rte.ie/live/index.html Just a reminder for those of you who are looking for their fix. Show starts at 9:30 Dunne -v- Marchiano - 10 Rounds - SBW Rock -v- Finnegan - 10 Rounds - LHW Irish Title They are the two they will show live. Also on the card, and likely to be shown in highlights. Murray -v- McDonagh - 10 Rounds - LW Irish Title Corbett -v- Ziausys - 6 Rounds - CW ***an -v- Sakara - 6 Rounds - LWW
Not a bad card but it is a shame Dunne could not have got a sterner test. Obviously his confidence is not back up, he needs better fights to get him back into contention for the world rankins. Kiko looked poor again recently but I still think Dunne is a fight or two off of a re match.
Ah it's not that bad a fight. I know Mabuza did a job on this lad last time out but he's probably #2 bantamweight in the world. Marchiano is a pressure fighter. I think thats the point of this fight. Get him sharpened for a lad who will just keep coming forward. I agree that Bernard will need a couple more fights to be back to his best though. I don't see a Martinez rematch happening, though, because I think Munroe will handle him easily second time round. So Bernard will probably be Munroe's mandatory at that stage.
Maybe not a bad fight but a pointless one. I do not think the kid is any where near good enough to offer Dunne the kind of fight that he needs to be able to go to the next level. Dunne it seems is happy to avoid Kiko which is a disapointment.
I wouldn't say he's avoiding him. He's getting his confidence back. Plus any rematch with him will have to wait until the Point Depot is rebuilt. They aren't going to do themselves out of 4,000 extra fans by making the fight in the Stadium
