16.12.05 – Following his sensational KO win in Germany last weekend Bernard Dunne’s next fight will come back home at the National Stadium in Dublin on January 28th. The unbeaten Dubliner impressed a Continental TV audience of over 6 million with his devastating KO win over Romanian hard man, Marian Leondraliu in Leipzig last Saturday..
Now Dunne wants to kick start 2006 by returning to Dublin and scoring his nineteenth professional victory. An opponent has yet to be confirmed but Dunne’s manager Brian Peters has drawn up a shortlist with a number of high profile opponents.
“This is going to be a big year for Bernard and the year in which he really will look to make his mark on the world stage,” said Peters. “The stakes are getting much higher for Bernard now because the calibre of opponents he will be stepping in with will ask him some very serious questions indeed.”
“I wouldn’t be making these fights if I didn’t think Bernard was ready for these kind of challenges. I’ve every confidence in his ability to deliver at the highest level in the sport and I think his performance against Leondraliu last weekend showed just how much he has matured as a professional.”
Peters is delighted with the backing he’s received both from Irish fight fans and RTE something he’s sees as a ringing endorsement of his decision to revive Irish pro boxing. “For too long the sport was dormant here in Ireland. All our best fighters had to go abroad to either the States or England to make a name for themselves. Now Bernard is proof that it can be done from home and the other fighters on the cards are benefiting as well.”
“Irish Boxing fans have really taken to these shows, they know quality when they see it and it helps that Bernard has a bit of charisma about him as well. The fact that RTE have got involved and have been rewarded with impressive viewing figures just proves that.”
The addition of Michael Gomez in a mouth watering Irish title matchup with Peter McDonagh on the January 28th card should also prove a huge attraction for Irish fight fans and represents something of a coup for Peters. Promoter Frank Warren had hoped to match Gomez with Willie Limond for the WBU Lightweight title in Scotland in February but Gomez has turned that down in favour of an Irish title clash with McDonagh.
“Michael has always wanted to fight back home in Ireland and I’m delighted to give him the opportunity,” said Peters. “He’ll certainly get a fight from Peter because he’s wanted this fight for so long and he knows a win over Michael would catapult him into some big, big fights.”
But Gomez is clearly in no mood to accommodate McDonagh’s ambitions. “I’ll smash him up – easy,” scoffed the Manchester based Dubliner. “I can’t wait for this fight. I’ll be far more effective at lightweight that I was at super feather. Making the weight was killing me. Lightweight should really suit me and poor McDonagh is going to have to pay, I just can’t wait to get my hands on that Irish title because I’ve been desperate to fight in Ireland for years.”
The rest of the card should provide excellent entertainment for Irish fight fans with big punching heavyweight, Colin Kenna looking to establish his claims for an Irish title fight with Mike Tyson’s conqueror, Kevin McBride.
Kenna is coming off the best win of his career with a devastating second round KO over leading British heavyweight Wayne Llewelyn. He will look to continue that good form in front of his hometown fans at the National Stadium.
Kevin O’ Hara will also be on the bill as he looks to press his claims at super featherweight. A good win for “Sweet Pea” on his Dublin debut would see him move a step closer to a title fight.
O’ Hara’s stablemate Stephen Haughian will join him on the card as the unbeaten Lurgan teenager looks to continue his rise through the professional ranks.
Further high quality matchups for the bill will be confirmed over the coming weeks.
Tickets priced €50, €75 and €100 are available from Ticketmaster on the web at TicketMaster.ie or over the phone on 0818 719300. Tickets are also available from all other usual outlets, see poster for further details.
Saturday 28th of January, 2006
National Stadium, Dublin
Bernard Dunne featuring in an International 10 Round Super Bantamweight Contest
Special Attraction, 10 Rounds for the Irish Lightweight Title – Michael Gomez V Peter McDonagh
Heavyweight, 8 Round bout featuring Colin Kenna
Super Featherweight, 8 Round bout featuring Kevin O’ Hara
And Stephen Haughian featuring in a 4 Round, Light Welterweight Contest.