Irish Boxing

News on Luke Wilton and Michael Sweeney - stay tuned to irish-boxing.com tomorrow for full details.

 

There is talk of two cards in Belfast in September, one a small card, one a big card. Nothing concrete yet so not going to count my chickens before they've hatched. Hopefully some sort of announcement on one of them at least in the next fortnight.

 

This content is protected

Posted by: Frank Warren on 06-14-2010.

​

By Frank Warren
IT'S been a great week for our amateur boxers, who will walk home with five medals from the European Championships.
That's our best haul for over 60 years - and our professionals are equally dominant on the Continent.
British boxing has never had so many pro European champions, eight in total, with title holders in more than half the weight divisions. Now we have to make it count at world level.
There was one less Euro champ this week after Audley Harrison gave up his heavyweight title.
That's the biggest hint yet that he's going to fight David Haye later this year.
Harrison fought in April but is still not inside the WBA's top 15.
Given the way he struggled against Michael Sprott before pulling out a last-gasp stoppage, I am not surprised.
Most people in boxing think he doesn't deserve a shot at Haye, having beaten no one of note.
But if he gets a crack, good luck to him.
I have been saying for the past few weeks that Haye-Harrison will happen. And it has now been confirmed that talks have begun.
It won't mean a row of beans outside of the UK but it is a fight that will no doubt appeal to the British public.
It does make a mockery of Haye's claim that he wants to fight only the best. He's signed twice to fight the Klitschkos but backed out each time.
This week, Haye's trainer Adam Booth said: "As a boxing fan, I hate the fight, because Audley has not boxed anyone in the top 20.
"Within Britain it will be a fight that people would love to see but will receive a lot of criticism worldwide. He will be called a coward for not facing the Klitschkos and his credibility will be shot to pieces."
For once Adam and I agree entirely.
MIGUEL COTTO became a three-weight world champ when he stopped Yuri Foreman two weekends ago.
Cotto was a broken man when he lost out to Manny Pacquiao but he might get a rematch if Floyd Mayweather and Manny don't fight.
THERE is talk this week that Carl Froch will face Arthur Abraham in Montreal in the final group stage of the Super Six.
Froch is demanding the fight takes place on neutral territory.
It won't happen in Canada - Ireland is a better bet.
EURO champ Brian Magee pulled out of a unification fight with Brit king Paul Smith last week.
It's a shame because it would have been a cracking fight.
Super-middleweight is still a hot division, though, especially as James DeGale is making great strides.
ERROL DIG OFF THE MARK
ERROL CHRISTIE said he hates all managers and promoters.
But I don't remember Errol complaining when he got a �10,000 fee for going pro.
He even gave me a big hug at a recent event.
Maybe he just 'hates' them to sell books.














Does Warren know something that we dont about Froch and Abraham:think

 

Ringside Report: McCloskey retains European Title with spectacular one-punch KO

By Brendan Galbraith - It wasn't vintage Paul McCloskey, but Dudey was still comfortably ahead on points when he exploded a haymaker flush onto the jaw of Giuseppe Lauri, sending the Italian to the canvas and the 4000 Belfast crowd into a frenzy.

The Kings Hall has been a happy stomping ground for McCloskey, halting Bulgarian Tontcho Tontchev in four rounds in his last appearance on the Duddy-Eastman under card. This time he was the star attraction – making his first headline appearance at the famous Balmoral boxing den. The significance of topping the bill on the 25th Anniversary of Kings Hall ruler, Barry McGuigan's epic World Title victory over fellow Hall of Famer, Euzibio Pedrosa, was a ‘proud moment' for McCloskey..

This content is protected

McCloskey had remained focused and business-like throughout fight week and in the pre-fight presser at the Kings Hall Conference Centre McCloskey was in no mood for wisecracks. When Lauri was asked how he rated McCloskey he replied through his interpreter that ‘McCloskey had beautiful eyes'. McCloskey, who barely took his eyes off Lauri during the presser (see photo below), leaned back on his chair to eyeball Lauri and in a menacing low tone informed the Italian words to the effect that he would find out about that on Friday night.

Fast forward to Friday night. Backstage, with only one more fight to go until the McCloskey enters the ring, and the Dungiven man, with ipod and earpiece, is pacing up and down the hallway, his face transfixed with a solemn and steely resolve.

When McCloskey is finally announced to the passionate Belfast crowd, that included Brian Magee, Martin Rogan, Willie Casey, Martin Lindsay, he enters the hall to a rapturous reception.

McCloskey, had modestly told me that he wasn't thinking whether he would star in the fight of the night, that he was only looking at winning each of the twelve rounds and that each round in itself is a fight. It must be difficult not to be pumped up to produce an explosive and show-stealing display when entering to such exhilarating home support?

In the opening two rounds McCloskey looked like he was going to put on a boxing master class and give the Italian a clinic. The Dungiven southpaw, bobbed and weaved, slipped punches and landed at will. The second round, in particular, was McCloskey at his best. Lauri couldn't land a glove on McCloskey – who was thriving in the knowledge that he could make Lauri miss repeatedly.

McCloskey then landed a beautifully disguised left uppercut onto the jaw line of Lauri and preceded to goad the Italian about his inability to land a return. Also, in the second round McCloskey floored Lauri with a hook that appeared to land to the side of the head. The French referee, Robin Dolpierre elected not to give Lauri a count.

McCloskey told me in the changing room afterwards: “That was a knock down – I throw a punch and I expected him to be counted.”

By now, the crowd was in full voice, the 1980s crowd would have be chanting ‘hear we go – here we go – here we go' for the likes of Barry McGuigan and Hugh Russell, but that this Kings Hall crowd adapted a rousing rendition of ‘ole ole ole'.

However, from the third round until the brutal 11th round KO, McCloskey did not continue his polished boxing display, opting to stand flat footed in front of the Italian and get drawn into a brawl.

McCloskey reflected afterwards:

“I knew he would come to spoil, he has obviously watched me on DVD – he has said to himself if he tries to box me he would have got the ears boxed off him – no doubt. I still should have boxed the ears off him – but then I again I got dragged into a fight”

The Italian also noticeably stepped up his complaining to the referee with the now familiar routine of looking at the referee - shrugging of shoulders and shaking his head as if he was getting illegally manhandled.

McCloskey was gradually getting irritated by this, especially after he had been cut above the left eye due to a head clash and then got a one-point deduction by the ref for use of the head in the 10th round.

“He was head-butting me right, left and centre” the Derry man lamented. “I was getting warned for sticking my head down, you are allowed to slip out – your head is not allowed to go below waistline – as far as I know. My head wasn't at the waistline – it was at the side – so I don't know why the official was checking me all the time and I was getting a wee bit annoyed about that. But there is nothing you can do about it – you just have to adapt.”

In the concluding 11th round, Lauri was still complaining and shrugging his shoulders to the referee and this constant theme perhaps, partly assisted his own eventual downfall as he momentarily lost focus and lowered his guard. McCloskey, who had the words “luck happens when preparation meets opportunity' inscribed in his black and white shorts” made his own luck by leaning forward to crash a meaty right hook right onto the unprotected jaw of the Italian.

The Italian precipitated to the canvas like a felled tree, were his body remained frozen – but, bizarrely, as if he was still in autopilot he had managed to lift his head off the canvas with the familiar head shaking and complaining facial expression. The referee abandoned the count and waved the fight off. The crowd leapt to their feet and the place went bonkers.

McCloskey was ecstatic – his celebration was almost a dramatic as the KO blow that he had landed earlier and unfortunately was not captured on Sky's television coverage. McCloskey leap high into the air – spinning 180 ° before landing on the canvas on his back. For a brief moment McCloskey lay sprawled out on his back next to Lauri – savouring the moment. Although, the Dungiven man will not want to be practicing that celebration too often, especially after returning from a recent niggling back injury.

In no mood for celebration were Lauri's corner men – who reacted with fury to their man's late KO. They were screaming and shouting long after the Italian had returned to his feet. Afterwards I spoke to the Lauri camp to get their verdict on how the fight ended. Christian Cherchi told me:

“In boxing you have to protect yourself at all times. It was bad luck for sure because Lauri doesn't deserve to finish like this, because he was doing a fantastic fight. He fight close to McCloskey – it was the right fight, because McCloskey without the distance was not fighting well. The fight was closer, for me Lauri was winning, but a finish like this – it is boxing.”

And why the anger from the Lauri team after the fight?

“The anger was the frustration for the finish like this because we think he was winning. And my anger also was because I saw a scorecard, and one scorecard said five points for McCloskey. When I saw the scorecard, five points, I say no way. Ok, the fight is finished, he lost. KO – the scorecard means nothing right now – but five points – c'mon. The fight was close.

I told McCloskey about the reaction of team Lauri and Cherchi's anger at Lauri for not observing the most important rule in boxing ‘to protect yourself at all times':

McCloskey said:

“He stopped for some reason – I don't know why, I just feinted a jab and just followed with a hook over the top. Once I landed it – he was out before his head hit the ground.”

Reflecting on his performance after the fight, McCloskey conceded that it was an under par performance and he allowed himself to get dragged into a fight, but is just happy to retain his title:

“I am delighted because I am still the European Champion. I didn't fight the right fight tonight – but I pulled out the result”.

“My fitness stood by me tonight – I could have done another ten rounds there and that is down to my preparation. The body shots that I was landing on the inside were hurting him – but I wasn't landing enough of them”

And a future world title fight with Khan?

“Khan is always in my sights. I hope that people look at that (footage of his fight with Lauri) and think maybe McCloskey isn't as good I thought he was and he might want to take me on.

Even it wasn't a world class performance, it was a world class finish that sent a wave of excitement inside the Kings Hall, as one thing that the Belfast crowd love is a KO puncher. It remains to be seen if this showing will KO a future match up with Khan. Time will tell.


*Full round up of under card to follow including reports on star performer of the show Carl Frampton and Jamie Conlan's impressive points win, plus reaction from Barry McGuigan.


*Brendan Galbraith can be contacted at

This content is protected

 

The team behind Giuseppe Lauri - knocked out in spectacular fashion by European light-welterweight champion Paul McCloskey on Friday night - could ask for a re-match after no post-fight drug testing was carried out.

According to the British Boxing Board of Control's Northern Ireland secretary John Campbell, the drug testing unit failed to turn up at the King's Hall, despite being requested by the BBBcC.

The administrative oversight could encourage the Italians to lodge a protest and lobby for another crack at McCloskey.

However, Campbell told the Belfast Telegraph: “On the night it was agreed with the European commission that the result would stand.

“We don't know why the drug testing unit didn't turn up, but we will query this on Monday.

“The Italians may ask for a re-match, but I don't think this will have any bearing on that.”

 

I only got the 1st and 6th rounds but could put them up tomorrow if you want?

 

Maybe Paddy passed on my rqeuest to Brian Peters after all!!! come on I will nag and nag and nag because it's bloody worth nagging for it. Imagine a super 6 fight here with all the potential on the undercard for our very best to show case themselves maybe Barker V Macklin/Lee on undercard :deal

 

Please do sir :good

 

Now that would be something. But where would it take place, the O2:hey

 

Victorious Irish Prospect Jamie Conlan cultivating Barry McGuigan’s signature punch

By Brendan Galbraith - Trainer John Breen has no qualms about fast-tracking his talented Belfast Flyweight to title fights and on the McCloskey-Lauri under card against durable veteran opponent, Delroy Spencer – who was making his 115th professional appearance, Conlan put on an impressive boxing display.

Spencer arrived in Belfast on the day of the fight and weighed in at 121 ¾ Ilbs (3 Ilbs heavier than Conlan). Conlan was very relaxed and not fazed about getting into the ring with a heavier opponent and told me in the dressing room afterwards:

“No problem. I spar big lads. I spar Andy Murray. So I knew he wouldn’t hurt me in there tonight. I hurt him with a few good body shots – which I am telling you are on going to come on as they are getting better with every fight. I thought I would have stopped him tonight but I was unlucky”.

Indeed, Conlan stopped his last opponent, Bulgarian Itsko Veselinov, with spiteful body shots and has been getting tips from Irish boxing legend, Dave Boy McAuley on how to perfect those body raids.

The left hook to the body is an important weapon for an orthodox fighter, and was famously perfected by Kings Hall legend Barry McGuigan. It is also a shot that is paying dividends for Conlan and from the first bell he was digging it into the body of veteran campaigner Delroy Spencer.

Conlan said:

“I love the left hook to the body – I throw it everyday in sparring. John (Breen) loves it – he says I drop everyone in sparring with it [writers note: Jamie is referring to fighters that he spars with at his own weight]. I also love that right one over the top and I caught Delroy with it every time.”

Indeed Conlan got through with the right hand with regularity, particularly in the second round. The final round was the closest round as Spencer landed a nice eye-catching head combination – perhaps this was the round that was awarded to Spencer in the 39-37 scorecard.

However, Conlan still accumulated more cleaner shots in the fourth and won all four sessions on my card. The trim looking referee, Richie Davies – who looks to have shed a bit of weight, raised Conlan’s hand at the end of the final round.

Conlan’s fight with Spencer was the ‘floater’ bout and unlike Conlan’s last experience as one half of a ‘floater fight’ on the undercard of the Rogan-Sexton II card were he made his debut, defeating Anwar Alfadli, in front of a near capacity Belfast audience, Conlan had to settle for the graveyard shift this time – fighting after the main event. Still, it was an enjoyable experience for Conlan:

“I enjoyed it. I was in control all of the time. He is wily and experienced as I expected, but I think I handled him alright.”

Conlan is looking to keep active and get straight back into the gym to work on his game:

“Every shot we have got to work on – what ever is my worst shot we have got to work on it next. Whatever John says I did wrong – that is what I have got to work on next week”.

Comparisons will continue to be made with Conlan and fellow Belfast flyweight, Luke Wilton. So far Conlan will be encouraged that he has beat two opponents that have a win and draw against Wilton, Spencer Delroy (although Wilton beat Spencer in their first encounter) and Anwar Alfadli, respectively.​

 

-------------------------------------------
I envisage 2 possible scenarios.

1> Peters strikes a deal with Sauerland & Hennessy to help promote the show here and in return gets at least 2 of his stable a decent undercard (with tv coverage). For example, on one of the main suporting fights could be Lee/Macklin V Barker for EBU title or Paul Mc Closkey defending his title.
In this case, combining the travelling Froch & AA fans I think it could merit enough demand for the O2.

2> Peter strikes a deal with the 2 of them with none of his fighters on the undercard and just a cut of the seats between their own fans and chooses a smaller venue such as the Kings Hall.

34d secnario I don't evnisage and hope does not happen is that Peters simply mentions it to the 2 promoters involved and lets them decide if it is a good venue and just leaves it at that!

 

Good work fella!

Are those lads at sky bad for sending tapes Carlos?

 

Any hassle getting the tickets? what were the seats like?

 

who will headline these two cards in belfast cormac:hi:

 

Good seats- up on the balcony. No problems at all- I tried to put on my best Dublin accent but it wasnt required because tickets were just in an envelope at the entrance haha. Brilliant atmosphere- was like a football match after the KO! Got to say the stewards are partly to blame for only a few hundred getting to see Conlan. They tried to move people out after McCloskeys bout, telling people it was the last fight