Irish pound for pound rankings - May 2009

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The past two months have certainly proven interesting for patrons of pugilistic Paddies. Certainly March 2009 will be a month long remembered in Irish sport. Although it didn’t start particularly well as fight fans collectively rolled their cynical eyes when reports from Stateside filtered through that “Erin Go Brawl II” had been scrapped which meant six Irish and two Irish-American fighters would be potentially denied their chance to perform in what is traditionally the busiest time of year for Irish boxers. But their patience and loyalty would be repaid in full when Bernard Dunne challenged Ricardo Cordoba for the WBA super bantamweight title in what was the first fight on these shores for a recognised world title since Wayne McCullough fought Jose Luis Bueno for the WBC bantamweight title 13 years ago.

It was with a sense of hope rather than expectation that all but the most ardent of Dunne fans travelled to the newly refurbished O2 Arena in Dublin. In the lead up to the fight they had trawled through Spanish language YouTube clips and poured over Cordoba’s BoxRec page noting that he had already defeated many fighters who are superior to anything that Dunne had ever faced. Shining like a beacon on his roster was a wide points victory over current super champion Celestino Caballero during an all Panamanian Derby in 2005. The only glimmer of hope was garnered from the fact that when Cordoba travelled abroad he didn’t seem to do so well, but that was explained away as being hometown decisions against Cordoba. Long suffering followers of the sport were almost looking to have the defense already prepared to excuse an inevitable Dunne defeated.

The majority of the crowd streamed into the arena after Ireland’s rugby victory over Wales to win their first Grand Slam in over 60 years. Hearts and expectations were further lifted following good wins for Jim Rock and Andrew Murray but it was not until Katie Taylor, Ireland’s two time woman’s amateur lightweight World Champion, took to the ring that the crowd really began to buzz. During an awesome performance, against three time Pan American champion Caroline Barry of the United States, Taylor showed technique and power that would be the even of many of her male counterparts and saw her easy to 27-3 points win. Even Andy Lee’s laboured win was glossed over once the Irish Rover rang out around the packed stadium as Dunne made his way to the ring.

After the formalities were out of the way the two boxers got down to business and Dunne surprised the crowd by trading with Cordoba. The fight see-sawed one way then the next with Cordoba edging the first rounds before Dunne floored the champion in the third which put and end to Maestrito’s early dominance. Although Cordoba looked weakened at the end of the third he appeared refreshed throughout the fourth and almost finished the fight in the fifth knocking down Dunne twice before pinning him stricken against the ropes whilst raining volleys of combinations upon the tucked up and rocking Dunne until the bell came to save the Neilstown man. Dunne gained in confidence from the sixth onwards and although it would be an injustice to say he bossed these rounds it would be fair to say that he showed levels of courage and determination that many had never seen before.

A resilient and determined Dunne brought the brutal battle to an end in the eleventh round after unleashing venomous onslaught on Corboda who at this stage was bereft of ideas and a shell of the fighter we say in the early rounds. Both men admirable gave their all in the final round but Dunne summoned energy from the pit of his stomach which saw Cordoba slump to the canvas three times before Hubert Earle called a halt to the bout.

In a result that no one could have ever predicted at the close of the fifth, Dunne’s arm was raised aloft to become Ireland Irish world title holder since Steve Collins lifted the WBO middleweight title in the mid 1990’s. This early contender for Fight of the Year had everything with the pair gallantly provided an exhilarating and grueling battle and an Irish winner – the crowd may have arrived as doubters but they left believers!

So how does this shake up the Irish P4P list?

The top four have been pretty much interchangeable for the past six months but Dunne’s performance sees him dethrone John Duddy for top spot as Duddy tumbles following a particularly disappointing first loss. Matthew Macklin’s breathtaking knockout win over Wayne Elcock put a further halt to Ulster dominance of the list. But this obstruction proved to be temporary as Martin Lindsay reinforced their superiority by blasting Paul Appleby out in six rounds and ensure the Northerners still command the majority of the slots in the top ten. The other main movers are Michael Gomez, who plummets from 11th to 19th following a humbling defeat at the hands of Ricky Burns and Galway’s John O’Donnell who makes an appearance for the first time.

Let’s hope we have a quiet May and that next months update will be a little less emotional – I don’t think my heart could take many more months like March and April!

 

thanks hombre.

there sure has been some turn arounds alright. Its been pretty exciting - you have to hand it to Dunne, he really pulled it out of the bag didnt he!

 

Mannys father lived on the Hill and worked on the docks with the McMorrow brothers!

 

Hi Kevin, thanks for the comment.

Qualification for the list is based on two main criteria. A. Boxers born on the island of Ireland or B. Boxers that consider themselves primarily Irish.

From what I have read or heard Jamie is very proud of his Irish roots and fair play to him for that but he doesnt consider himself primarily Irish.

If he was born in Ireland or did consider himself primarily Irish then I would probably have him in at at least number 2.

He has a lot of good will in Ireland and all the fans there support him and wish him all the best.

Nice guy, great fighter - whats not to like.

Hope that answers your question mate! :good

 

It will be worse for the loss of Mr. Armstrong.

Its a pity he never got the chance to right the wrong of that night in Dublin.

I wrote

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on wikipedia and is was a pleasure to research it.

I also

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- another Irishman even if he wears clogs! :yep

 

radio commentary in Ireland mate.