Irish Boxing

From the mouth of Jamie Moore - "Hiya lads, just a note to clarify the situation for ya's. As you all know I'v had an operation on my shoulder and am boxing on Ricky's bill in an 8 rounder. I have been offered the Irish title fight as a warm up as well, but as yet cannot say if it's happening yet because we're waiting for a TV date from sky for the European title fight, and obviously wouldn't jepordise the Euro fight, as it's a major title and a great stepping stone to the world title. I've seen Baysangurov and he's a quality operator but I'm confident that when I'm back to 100%, which I'm well on my way to, I will have the tools to beat him. So once all the pollitics have been sorted out we will know where we're up to and what's happening. Hope that clears the situation up for ya's. "

 

paddy...its funny u mentioning that fight....because that is the first big fight involving an irish boxer...i can remember..watching from start to finish on tv...me my brother and my da yelling and shouting collins on to victory..can anyone else remember there first big fight?

 

It's a shame Barry and Nelson never met, Barry still achieved a hell of a lot.

On a side note does anyone know where Andy Murray trains? I know he was in St Albans but I believe he moved back to Ireland.

 

me grandad keeping me up till 1am to watch ali v holmes on the telly...although i do remember my uncles talking a lot about ali frazier, dunno which one, when i was very very young...but ali holmes is first big fight a watched proper...

 

The fight that got me hooked on boxing was watching Tyson KO Berbick on a cousins VCR. All my family were big Tyson fans and I remember being devastated the first time Holyfield beat him when I was in Primary School lol. My first big fight I remember was Naz v Kevin Keelley in MSG.

 

how big does venue need to be cormac ?

 

Yep,Andy is back in Cavan at the moment where he works out at he`s old amatuer club.

He should be boxing again in July so he`ll be back training in St Albans although we do have to travel around a bit for sparring.

 

About 100 people (Max) might only be 20 go the first night if you know what I mean. Im thinking of Dockers in Belfast but open to ideas on Dublin. Any boxing friendly bars? Any ex boxers who now own bars/function rooms?

 

Great work Cormac ive been dropping by the site for the last few months.

 

would bars/clubs that could possibly be big enough for up to 100 people not be suitable without having to book the place...ie..say a big pub with a big lounge in dublin...do you need a function room?..

bar seven in belfast is supposed to be a boxing-friendly pub...i think...i know nigel benn used to play a dj set there..

the cuckoos nest in dublin is a sports bar that show a lot of boxing..

mmm...may have to take this to a pm with you as i know someone who is, as far as i know, fairly well connected in boxing circles and the pub / hotel citcuit...

sligo is out of the question ?

 

Welcome Reesy - when you gonna put yer boy in with ***an? :good

 

How ye lads,

The top Irish professional boxer of all time is proving to be a tough call. Given Steve Collins' achievements of being a two-weight world champion, and Barry McGuigan electrifying both Ireland and Britain at the height of troubled times, I can't separate the two.

How about this instead: The top three performances by Irish boxers in the modern era.

3. Sean Mannion v Mike McCallum, New York City, 1984 - Who gave Mannion, a 29-5-1 journeyman, a prayer of even surviving against the then 21-0 knockout artist, the fearsome Bodysnatcher, in October 1984? Mannion went all 15 rounds of their WBA light-middleweight title fight, and McCallum could not put him away, no matter how hard he tried. To put in context, McCallum knocked out Julian Jackson, Milton McCrory and Don Curry not so long after.
A photograph of rare beauty captures the moment - Mannion trudging back to his corner, sweat pouring from his brow, lead in his legs but fire in his heart - that's what pro-boxing is all about to me. Sean Mannion was a hero that night - he was simply glorious in defeat.

2. Jamie Moore v Matthew Macklin, Manchester, 2006 - An awesome, awesome prizefight. Both men went to the darkest corners of their souls while simultaneously illuminating ours. That man is capable of such courage is beyond comprehension.
Definitely a candidate for fight of the decade. Both went to the brink and gave everything they had - for peanuts compared to whats on offer for so-called glamour fights. These ultimate warriors are two of the finest examples of why boxing is the greatest sport of 'em all.

1. Wayne McCullough v Yasuei Yakushiji, Japan, 1995 - There was no way Wayne was leaving without that belt that night. Going to Japan and snatching the title from the hometown hero was like going to Germany and outpointing Sven Ottke in front of the notoriously partisan judges.
His heroics after only 16 fights are still inspirational today. Fearless, tireless and magnificent in victory. Wayne McCullough owes the sport of boxing absolutely nothing.

Obviously, Barry McGuigan v Eusebio Pedroza should be in there, plus Steve Collins v Chris Eubank. But I can only pick the three that resonate most with me. Tell me if I'm crazy, lads. What are your picks?

 

wow...very well worded...have you got that photograph...or is it online...
i have spoke to sean about that fight...but poor old sean is very much the worse for wear these days...very sad...
i was gonna say that a young steve collins used to spar with sean around that time in boston...but i think it was 4/5 years later...steve and sean are very close friends to this day...
i'd love to see it on video too if anyone knows where to get it..