27.04.06 – The “Irish Rover” Bernard Dunne returns to Dublin on June 3rd for what promises to be another sensational night of professional boxing. The undefeated Dublin puncher is closing in on a European title shot but before that can happen he needs to secure win number 21 of his career at the National Stadium..
He won’t have it easy though with David “El Finito” Martinez in the other corner. The Albuquerque native is ae ambitious young fighter and a top prospect in his own right. He’ll be crossing the Atlantic for one reason and one reason only – to win.
A tremendous amateur the 22-year-old Martinez has excellent boxing skills. However he loves a tear up and he admits himself that’s what cost him in his lone defeat to date against Mexican dangerman Tomas Villa.
He’ll be determined not to make the same mistake twice against Dunne but in the white hot atmosphere of a packed National Stadium on a Summer’s night surely this one will be a toe to toe war.
It’s a risky fight for Dunne with a European title shot on the line but he says it’s a chance his happy to take. Bernard has no doubts about his own ability and another man who thinks he is the real deal is the “Clones Cyclone” Barry McGuigan.
The former World featherweight champion said, “I think Bernard has the ability to go all the way to the top. He has Irish boxing buzzing again and I think it’s just the start of something really big with all the emerging talent coming through right now.”
Irish fight fans seem to agree with McGuigan. They’ve been tuning in their droves to watch Dunne fight live on terrestrial television much to RTE Head of Sport, Glen Killane’s delight.
“RTE hadn’t televised boxing in years but we felt Bernard had the perfect blend of talent and charisma to get the Irish public excited about boxing again. The results speak for themselves. Since we started last year Bernard’s fights have already brought in a combined total of over a million viewers. That’s phenomenal stuff.”
“We got up to a quarter of a million viewers for Bernard’s most recent fights and that number is growing with each outing. We also made a little bit of history with Bernard recently by doing our first ever live webcast when he fought in Italy. That was a resounding success as well.”
Dunne’s fight with Martinez will make up just part of another 2-hour feast of live boxing on RTE on June 3rd and there is plenty on the undercard to look forward to.
Jim “The Pink Panther” Rock will contest the vacant Irish middleweight title with Lee Murtagh. Rock already holds the light middle and super middleweight belts so he will be out to score an Irish title hat trick.
The other Irish title fight on the card promises to be a candidate for fight of the year. Fresh from his amazing upset win over former World champ Michael Gomez on our last show in January Peter McDonagh will make the first defence of his Irish lightweight title.
McDonagh had to employ the services of super naturalist Uri Geller last time out and he might need Geller again to see off the challenge of gutsy Dubliner Oisin Fagan.
Aside from the three headline bouts the remainder of the card is packed with some of the finest talent Irish boxing has to offer. One of our best amateurs of the last ten years, James Moore has moved to New York to launch his pro career.
He’ll be back home on June 3rd to put his unbeaten record on the line and show Irish fight fans just what he’s learned during his time Stateside as he has his first pro contest in Ireland.
Moore will be joined by former Irish amateur team-mate Andrew Murray. The undefeated Cavan youngster has been impressing seasoned boxing observers with his performances to date and now fight fans will get to see him have his first pro fight back at the National Stadium.
The show will also feature the silky skills of former Olympian and European Gold and Bronze medallist Paul Griffin. The Dublin featherweight is seeking an Irish title clash with fellow Dubliner Paul Hyland before he hangs up his gloves.
All in all it should be a hot summer’s night to remember for Irish fight fans.
Opponents for Griffin, Moore and Murray will be announced over the coming weeks.
For tickets (priced €50, €75 & €100) visit TicketMaster.ie or call 0818 719300.