Irish Boxing

I know nothing about him really - sometimes you miss stuff when yer in England. First came to my attention on his debut and I did think that although everyone beats Dunn not many ever stop him.

The first I saw of him was on the undercard of the St. Patricks Weekend bill in Boston - see here http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0WM7bmzf6gI&feature=related - that doesnt tell us much apart from the fact that O'Sullivan doesnt ponce around and gets stuck in straight away

 

Ireland v Scotland 2003 - enjoy

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=jVgGfV02fBU&feature=related

 

just hada thought - what about a Moore v Macklin rematch for the Irish title!

 

Slapbangwhallop,

It appeared in the Carlow Nationalist and Wexford Echo this week. There's no link as yet. I'm lucky enough to be able to write a sports column every week - I'm given free reign to write on any sport I want, which invariably means boxing, 'cos I effing love it, ha ha.

Bear in mind, its written to cater for casual sports fans who wouldn't exactly be boxing fanatics. So if it seems patronising to readers here, I apologise for that. I'll freely admit I am learning everyday from the knowledge displayed on this forum, and couldn't even come near to the passion you guys display about the greatest sport of 'em all. Take it for what its worth and be gentle, ha ha. Here goes:

The Cute Hoare Contemplates

By Padraig Hoare

“Don't call it a comeback! I been here for years! Rockin my peers and puttin’ suckers in fear; makin’ the tears rain down like a monsoon; Listen to the bass go BOOM; EXPLOSION!…”
LL Cool J’s seminal hit “I’m Gonna Knock You Out” was always a song for the shower; inspiring me to be a hero in my own living room; a hip-hop version of Rocky Balboa or Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger”.
After last weekend’s superb night of entertainment at the National Stadium in Dublin, Mr Cool J’s lyrics have taken on a new meaning. Irish boxing is far from dead - it’s as strong now as it was when it was reborn two years ago with Bernard Dunne’s roadshow. It ain’t no comeback. It was never gone.
Lack of television coverage meant the doomsday prophets who sounded the death knell for Irish boxing over the recent months didn’t have the privilege of seeing Eddie Hyland and Kevin O’Hara tear the house down for the Irish Super-Featherweight title.
They didn’t see Patrick Hyland take the Irish featherweight title with a scintillating third round demolition of former European amateur gold medallist Paul Griffin.
And they didn’t see Cork’s bad-to-the-bone light-middleweight Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan dissect his English opponent in one round of bone-chilling body punching.
Those who watched John Duddy, Bernard Dunne and Andy Lee come unstuck in the last few months said it showed that the boom in Irish boxing was over - we had the good times, but that was it. Finished.
The rumours of Irish boxing’s demise have been grossly exaggerated. Six names to demonstrate why - Eddie, Patrick and Paul Hyland, the three brothers with a combined record of 30-1 between them. Gary O’Sullivan, the body-snatching light-middle with an awesome amateur record of 175 wins from 190 contests and 5 national titles at different weights.
Belfast’s heavyweight Cinderella Man Martin Rogan who won the first ever heavyweight Prizefighter tournament on Sky television less than a month ago with three victories in one glorious night. And world-rated thrill machine Jamie Moore, born in Salford, Greater Manchester but with huge pride in his Kilkenny heritage.
The Cute Hoare ain’t called cute for nothing. I can reveal that barring any hitches, all six of those names should be appearing on Irish television screens near you before the summer is out. Tommy Egan, boxing promoter from Gorey, will showcase this next generation of stars in the making on TV3 in July and beyond.
Entitled “Big Time Boxing”, the show will take place on July 12 in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght and there will be at least three Irish professional titles up for grabs. It’s exciting times to be a boxing fan.
Gary O’Sullivan is an intriguing prospect. He is managed by Paschal Collins, brother of former world super-middleweight champion Steve and has racked up three victories in his first three contests. All three were by knockout. Two in the first round.
There have been rumours for years that he was itching to move from the amateurs into the professional game - his body punching and raw power have been long talked about in the bars of Cork. He has been compared to Ricky Hatton for his sheer aggression and the great Ronald “Winky” Wright for his composure and intelligence.
From the tough neighbourhood of Mahon on Cork’s southside, “Spike” felt it was only a matter of time before he switched to the pay game.
“The amateur body wanted me to stay in the game but I felt the pro game suited me a lot more. I am very fit, have good stamina and I can hit with power. Since I was six years old, I have wanted to become champion of the world.
“With Paschal as my manager and Tommy promoting, I think it could be a real possibility down the line. Obviously I am still a novice in the pro-game, but if I stay focused and concentrate on one fight at a time, then who knows where I could end up?
“I fought in America for my second contest and won with a first round knockout. My opponent was giving it loads at the weigh-in, trying to psych me out of it. He was wasting his time. Nobody is going to distract me from my goal of becoming the middleweight champion of the world some day. Evander Holyfield was my idol growing up - his preparation, heart and courage are things I take on board.
“Andy Lee is a good friend of mine - we were the only Munster lads in the amateur team so we became good buddies. He’ll be back for sure. But there’s a lesson in his defeat - don’t get caught up in the hype. I’ll keep the head down, work hard and get the experience under my belt until I‘m ready to step up.”
Tommy Egan is excited about O’Sullivan’s chances. Fair enough, promoters are always going to big up their fighters, but O’Sullivan deserves the plaudits, Egan insists.
“This young man has everything required to reach the top. Paschal Collins is a good buddy of mine and had told me about this ferocious light-middleweight that he had. You’d naturally be sceptical but when I saw him for myself, I was blown away. He has all the tools to become a champion of the world. He‘s as exciting as Barry McGuigan - that same intensity.”
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention: Spike O’Sullivan is a distant cousin of the Boston Strong Boy, the legendary John L Sullivan. Who? The first ever heavyweight champion of the world back in the 1880s, that’s who.
Is it something to get excited about, boxing fans? Hell, why not? Yes, the Duddy, Lee and Dunne wagons lost their wheels but we have all had a great time enjoying the journey. But Dunne, Lee and Duddy (still unbeaten, by the way) are far from over.
Irish boxing, far from being dead, is actually chugging along very nicely. Will O’Sullivan or one of the Hyland brothers ever become a world champion? I don’t know. What I do know is that I don’t want to be on the outside looking in. I want to be at the party - I want to enjoy every second of the journey. Even if one hits the heights, then the hype was worth it.
Promoter Tommy Egan has named the tune for July 12 in Tallaght: Its up to us fans to dance. I’ve got my disco shoes already.

 

I seem to be duplicate posting - it won't take long before that starts annoying folks, ha ha. I'll soon get the hang of it. In the meantime, my apologies, lads.

 

welcome podge ...great article ...i hope peters winds his neck in and puts dunne on at a later date....and lets this new promoter get on with it...i hope rte and tv3 broadcast shows from the north as well...northern promoters could do with some TV money as well:hi:

 

Fra,
Tommy Egan has agreed a show for the Kings Hall in September - that's a definite. Martin Rogan v Kevin McBride or Colin Kenna for the Irish Heavyweight title one of top bouts. More and more Irish titles on the night too. Very exciting news.

Another bit of good news. Cork show in October with headliner Spike O'Sullivan in Neptune Stadium. Also booked.

It's great to have a new player in the game. I personally think there is room for two promoters - more opportunities for fans and fighters alike. Peters has nothing to prove, I think he has been great for boxing here, but its stupid scheduling for Peters to put a Dunne card on to combat Egan's show. I can't understand why he is doing it.

 

its a ****ing disgrace what peters is doing...egan has big plans..TV3 must be him backing big style...podge..this is quare info your giving us.

 

Sorry, lads, made a balls of something.Duplicate post. Original down below

 

Nice bit of writing Podge.Your a welcome addition here:yep,I think Tommy Egan and TV3 arrival into professional Irish boxing, will bring the sport to another level.Im confident it will work out for them.

 

Fra,

I know people must be thinking: "Is this Podge fella for real or what?". But I have it all on dictaphone, and a million notebooks, ha ha. I assure you I'm bona fide. I'd be thrown out of my job if I started making stuff up, ha ha.

I'm in regular contact with Tommy Egan. He is in turn in contact with Aidan Cooney of TV3 almost daily. I've been there when they are talking shop. I've talked to Mr Cooney myself to make sure what I am hearing has substance.
TV3 is very interested in boxing with a distinct Irish flavour, by all accounts.

I can't say for definite what the television plans are for the King's Hall are in September of the Cork bill in October. But the shows are 100% booked, I've verified that before posting here. Common sense would tell me that if the July 12 card in Tallaght is successful on TV3, then a Belfast broadcast would be the logical next step for television.

On Jamie Moore, I've seen on other forums people saying it would be an "astonishing step back" for him to fight in Ireland. I respectfully disagree;

1 - Jamie Moore has has so many setbacks through no fault fo his own that he has been inactive since Octiber 2007.
His guaranteed European title shot, promoted by Frank Maloney, is in no way affected. An Irish appearance as well as appearing on the Hatton undercard in May is perfect preparation for that Euro shot. He loses nothing and gains an Irish title if successful.

2 - National TV exposure is something he has never had in Britain. A wildly exciting fighter (the Macklin and Jones wars are testament to this), he is largely unknown outside hardcore fight fans. I can see why he would be keen.

3 - Ciaran Healy is one of the reasons the sport goes on. Usually cannon-fodder for rising stars, Healy is instead getting the best payday of his career. He's already training like a mad fella, I hear. Good for him, it's always good to see fellas like him looked after financially.

4 - Tommy Egan has done numerous white-collar boxing shows. Safety, as you can imagine, is paramount. He has assured me that if there any sign that Healy is getting hurt, then the fight will be stopped.

I might be talkin' out me arse, but that's the way I see it. I personally am very excited. Fight fans are the winners here, methinks.

 

i wasnt doubting your word for a moment...im just impressed and excited about ..what your saying...rogan against belshaw would be great for the kings hall...if they cant get mcbride

 

Fra,

If I wasn't me myself posting, I'd doubt what I was saying, ha ha! A fella sauntering in, just announcing stuff just like that.
I was a long-time lurker on the forum. Truth be told, although I am a boxing fanatic myself, I am a bit in awe of all the knowledge you guys have. Wanted to make sure I could bring something constructive to the party.

It's when the Jamie Moore stuff started to come out this week and people were saying it was nonsense, I said it was time to post. I had it in the Carlow Nationalist and Wexford Echo nearly two months ago - it's a big scoop for a young lad like myself, and I'm a proud s.o.b, ha ha.

I'll be able to keep us posted here about Tommy Egan's plans. He's become a good contact, I'm grateful to be able to say. I'll be interviewing him for Cormac's site in May. Ditto Jamie.

I'm not in the tank for anyone, in fact I'll always be grateful to Brian Peters - he and Tommy got me an interview with Manny Steward when Andy Lee fought Ciaran Healy last August. But both rivals working in "cooperation, not confrontation", as Tommy Egan was quoted in yesterday's Star, is the way forward. Let's see how it pans out. Either way, it will be a good, good July for us fans.

 

well with u and cormac with your inside contacts and info....ardy and slapbangwallop finding aticles from everywhere... and shamrock with his boxing tech knowledge....this thread is on the up and up