Michael Sweeney to fight for an EU title - training with K2

Michael Sweeney plans to take the European scene by ‘Storm’ as he accepts the challenge to face EU Light heavyweight title holder Nadjib Mohammedi, in the French-Algerian’s hometown of Marseille, France on Friday, October 1.

Irish boxing needs characters, its short on them at the moment if we are honest. Irish boxing needs ballsy fighters willing to take risks and put everything on the line, its short on them as well. Michael Sweeney has the prerequisite quota of thaws and is most certainly an entertaining character – a welcome combination for any boxing hack.

All too often in Irish boxing the 'line of least resistance' is adopted, a sheltered path, a cosy existence feeding off carefully selected Latvian lift attendants, bulging Bulgarian barmen and never hungry Hungarian hod carriers, all searching for a cosy corner of canvas to snuggle up in at the earliest opportunity. It’s a path shunned by Sweeney. 'The Storm' searches for challenges and seeks out scraps, wherever, whenever and however they present themselves.

After less than a year in the professional ranks and in only his fourth fight, Sweeney travelled to Boston, Massachusetts to take on American Cruiserweight David Williams. He came away with a creditable draw, one of the home judges scoring the fight the Mayoman’s way.

But the judge’s scorecards were not the principal determining factor that night at the Orpheum Theater. What was central to this move was that Sweeney was setting his stall out as a pro. Stating a case. Putting down a marker. Sweeney has gloves – will travel!

He proved this by tackling unbeaten Limerick fighter Jamie Power at the O2 Arena on the Dunne-Poonsawat bill, walking away with a knockout victory.

He proved this when he travelled the long and lonely journey to Mexico to duke it out with local fighter Felipe Romero. Sweeney was cruelly denied victory when the Mexican referee bizarrely halted the fight in the dying seconds of the contest despite Sweeney having Romero on the canvas twice and being the proverbial country mile ahead on all the judge’s slates.

He provided this by chasing Dubliner Ian Tims for the Irish Cruiserweight title and John Waldron for the Irish Lightweight strap. Whilst patiently hunting domestic honours the Ballinrobe robe battler appears to have stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity to by-pass his compatriots and launch himself onto the a platform which could earn him international treasures.

In his way is Nadjib Mohammedi, 22-1 (KO 11), a flashy less than likeable orthodox fighter from the tough Gardanne suburb in the Bouches-du-Rhône district of Marseille. He struts to the ring looking like an edited out extra from the film Flash Gordon. Dressed in an embarrassing mixture of black velvet and gold lame trimmings, followed by a dance troupe including his own choreographed entrance, all set to the remixed sounds of Michael Jackson – it’s a wonder even his own fanatical supporter aren’t hoping he takes a tumble over his tassled boxing boots.

Despite having less charm then a cross between Tim Henman and Victoria Beckham, Mohammedi does possess no little amount of pugilistic skills.

He defeated Karim Bennama over ten rounds in June 2008 to take the vacant French Light heavyweight title, a title he defended five times in the following year, stopping four of those challengers.

Then came the cocky slicksters first and only defeat, a quick KO loss in the French version of the Prizefighter, ‘Le Grand Tournoi’.

Mohammedi met highly rated banger Thierry Karl in the first round of the competition. ‘Iron Djib’s entrance was as elaborate, ostentatious and as self indulgent as a Prince concert. The golden neckpiece, armbands and shorts helped little once the first bell rang.

One hopes he enjoyed the ringwalk because it lasted longer than the fight. Waved off after less than a minute with the man from the south of France performing a chicken dance reminiscent of that Zab Judah performed in his fight with Kosta Tszyu.

Of course Mohammedi, like Zudah, whinged profusely about how unfair the stoppage was and pushed the referee, even jumping onto the second rope to claim he was somehow the winner – denial can be an ugly trait.

Since then he has gathered himself once more and strung together three solid victories including, to his great credit, picking up the European Union Light-heavyweight title by knocking out Tomas Adamek (no not that one) in April 2010 at Les Pennes-Mirabeau in his backyard outside Marseille.

‘The Storm’ will now travel have to the same location is search of his own Holy Grail.

Mohammedi was to face his only conqueror and compatriot Thierry Karl, who is the mandatory challenger for the EU title. However, it would appear that the Frenchman would rather avoid the heavy hitting Karl and opt for a quick voluntary defence to cash in on his title, while he still holds it.

Step forward – Michael Sweeney. Respectable record – check, winning his last outing – check, tough ‘Fightin Irish’ challenger – check, never won away from home – check. The thought process of Team Djib is almost flawlessly transparent. Isn’t it?

Let’s hear what Sweeney has to say about that shall we?

 

Mohammedi a good fighter. He will be in for a tough night.