Irish Boxing

I read an interview online somewhere and said he is only concentrating on British and Commonwealth titles, And he was asked about his Irish roots and said his grand parents was his Irish connection

 

I'll take that as a no then!

 

While it's hot
18 November 2009 - By Cormac Campbell With Andy Lee boxing one month in Limerick and European middleweight champion Matthew Macklin headlining in Dublin the next, one could be forgiven for believing that promoter Brian Peters has plans to see the duo square off.
Suffice to say that such a bout, at a venue such as The O2 or Thomond Park, would be the biggest all-Irish duel in recent memory.
But in boxing, timing is everything. Macklin must first defeat Rafael Sosa Pintos (34-4) on December 5 and then mandatory challenger Dimitriy Pirog in January.
Lee, for his part, is unlikely to remain idle and, as such, any match-up between the two would appear destined for the spring/summer of next year. That’s if both fighters avoid cuts, defeat or any other flies in the ointment in the interim.
One such impediment would be a World Title shot for Macklin. After all, the Birmingham/Tipperary man is certainly deserving of a chance having evolved into something close to a complete - albeit work-starved - fighter in 2009.
"I’ve only had 4 rounds in 12 months, fair enough I won the British and European titles in that time, but to get a few rounds would be good," he told irish-boxing.com.
"I’ve two fights coming up, one in Dublin in December in the Stadium and then a title defence early in the New Year.
"After the mandatory I’ll be looking for the World title. If that doesn’t happen then I’d have a voluntary defence of the European and I would think that Andy would be in pole position for that."
Whilst Macklin feels Lee is deserving of a shot, he admits that the Limerick man is still recovering from defeat to Brian Vera in March 2008.
"Andy is a friend and I don’t want to see him get beat," he added. "He is still rebuilding his confidence and he is taking steps in the right direction."
As such, there is a school of thought that Lee vs Macklin is a dish that would be best left to simmer until the tail end of 2010 at the very least – in order to ensure that both men enter the ring as equals.
"Ideally you would like it for a world title to maximise the potential," croons promoter Brian Peters, who has a strong role in guiding the careers of both men.
We have, however, seen best laid plans crumble before – notably in relation to John Duddy’s chances of a crack at Kelly Pavlik. The boxing fans out there would argue that Lee vs Macklin is big enough now to make it happen and Andy Lee seems to agree.
"Obviously Macklin is the champion," Lee told a post-fight press conference after outpointing Affif Belghecham.
"His brother is sitting there (laughs) so I can’t say too much. There is no problem between us. We had a little chat today and it is a natural fight. When we fight it is going to be a big fight so it would be nice to have the financial benefits of that. Even a European title fight would be great. July or August in Thomond Park would be great for both of us."
Only time will tell if Lee vs Macklin is a fight that will happen, but one thing is for sure – 20 year from now Irish boxing fans do not want to have to sit and discuss who would have won if the two had met.

 

Home Soil
18 November 2009 - By Cormac Campbell Belfast featherweight Martin Lindsay remains hopeful that his February 5 British title defence against Jamie Arthur will be take place in his home city.
Lindsay had been hoping for a Kings Hall date for the mandatory bout, but with English promoter winning purse bids in excess of £50,000, the contest was brought to his charges’ home soil.
"I was a bit disappointed," he told irish-boxing.com. "I had travelled all around the world building up my record and then when I won the title I expected to get to defend it at home especially after the atmosphere in the Appleby fight at the Ulster Hall.
"Basically I’m a free agent so I’m not attached to anyone. Frank Maloney won the purse bids and Arthur is with him so that’s why he brought the fight to Wales."
Lindsay is currently free of any managerial or promotional ties and will meet with a number of the sport’s key players in the coming weeks to discuss future plans. What he is hoping for under any new deal is more ring time.
"Before Magherafelt, I had only had one fight in 13 months so it was good to get in and shake off the rust. Before it I was offered a French journeyman but I turned that down because there is no point in going in and only getting a round. I wanted eight rounds or a late stoppage and Tetteh proved durable which was good. He was in there to win and he was dangerous."
A ferocious trainer, Lindsay is already back in the gym ahead of the defence – albeit at a reduced capacity.
"We’re just ticking over at the moment," he said.
By ticking over he means 10 light sessions a week.
"It’s about 12 weeks away but we’ll pick it up at the 10 week mark when everything is signed and sealed. Hopefully I can get it back to Belfast – but that is not in my hands.
"And if I have to go to Wales then I will use that as my motivation."
Such a training schedule means Lindsay, like so many other sportsmen will have to forgo Christmas celebrations in favour of blood and sweat.
"In the amateurs you used to get the lousy Christmas every year," he explained.
"The seniors were always in January or February so you were always training over Christmas. Only two years ago I fought on January 10 in Canada. You miss out on it, but it’s not a big deal."
The natural superfight for Lindsay at this stage is a contest with fellow Irishman and fellow world champion Bernard Dunne – although this, more than likely, would have to wait until one of the pairing secures a European title.
"Obviously the public would like to see that but I don’t know what Bernard’s plans are, I think it would be a good fight so you never know what could happen."

 

it was a good night- bunce was great

 

id love to see that fight-but i dont think it would ever happen.

 

I think its clear the Promoter is trying to fool people into thinking that Prunty is on this belfast card to sell tickets!

Gavin "The Pimpernel" Prunty will NOT be fighting in belfast I feel the Promoter is trying to pull a fast one. Gavin has attained near cult status since his last fight and I cant blame the promoter for trying to capitalise on the Hype that surrounds him...

Anyways Lads Prunty will be chief support for Macklin on the 5th so make sure you get your tickets for that date!

 

Everyone wants a piece a Prunty! I heard that Elio Rojas was changin his name to Prunty just to sell tickets - and he is getting some new kick ass shorts made up as well!

 

let me be the first to say it!

Thierry Henry eh!? :|

 

find out the linesmans name and complain about him. not one footballer worth his salt wouldn't have done what Henry did if he thought it meant getting his side to a world cup finals

 

yes Henry is a ****in sickener. gutted.

 

Paddy you like that Prunty fella! I was hoping to get a first look at him...

 

BamBam, I have to respectfully disagree. That's the worst kind of cheating - lads will miss out on the greatest moment of their careers 'cos of that. Would a boxer stick a thumb in the eye if it meant a world title? I bet most wouldn't.

Anyways, who's up for going to Macklin on December 5? ESB boys day out?

 

Podge you're off your nut if you think that 'most boxers' wouldn't thumb an opponent in the eye to win a world title if they a) knew they had a good chance of getting away with it and b) would never have to admit it was intentional if they did get away with it.

Seriously, grow up. If you've played a high level of any sport even at schoolboy level you will know its cut throat stuff once you hit about 13-14 years of age. Nevermind how ruthless it is at world class/international level

 

That's my point though, perhaps I didn't articulate it as well as I wanted. Perhaps a thumb to the eye was stupid in articulating my point, but severe cheating (which is what that was tonight)? They wouldn't and shouldn't get away with it in boxing, and they know they wouldn't get away with it...

Why should Henry get away with it in football? It's scandalous. The sport is way behind others in catching **** like that. That's why football, as much as I love it, pisses me off so much sometimes. Anyways, I don't want to get in an argument with ya, the fella I'm pissed off with is the one whose going to the World Cup ahead of our deserving lads.

Make up over a beer at Macklin on December 5?