06.11.06 – The sold out signs have gone up at the Point in Dublin ahead of Saturday night’s European Title fight between Bernard Dunne and Esham Pickering. Demand has been phenomenal for the event which for the first time ever will see a Dubliner fight for the European title in his native city. Managing Director of Ticketmaster Ireland, Eamonn O’ Connor confirmed that the event is now a complete sell out with 7,000 boxing fans hoping to witness Dunne lift the European Super Bantamweight title..
“In a quarter of a century with Ticketmaster I’ve never seen anything like this for a boxing match,” said O’ Connor. “Bernard really seems to have captured the public’s imagination. It might appear to be an overnight success but Bernard and his promoter Brian Peters have worked for 10 years to make this such a high profile event.”
Although O’ Connor felt the event would be a success he admits he was surprised by the huge demands for tickets. “The kind of demand we saw for this was comparable to what we see for some of the big name bands and artists. It’s just created a great buzz amongst the general public and the fact that it’s sold out reflects that.”
O’ Connor’s views are backed up by Cormac Rennick, the General Manager at the Point. “We’re very excited about this event and hope that at the end of it Ireland will have another champion to cheer on.”
“This is probably the biggest sporting event we’ve ever held at the Point. We’ve had big names like Lennox Lewis and Naseem Hamed as well as our own Steve Collins and Wayne McCullough appear at the Point but they never came close to the kind of audience Bernard has generated for Saturday night’s fight.”
“We have Paul Simon and the Scissor Sisters in concert here this week and then over the coming weeks week it’s Pink, Bruce Springsteen and Christina Aguilera. The fact that Bernard is up there with big names from the entertainment industry like that proves just how popular he has become.”
Promoter Brian Peters says he’s delighted with the response from the general public. “I think Bernard’s proved now that he is capable of attracting not just boxing fans or even sports fans but people from across the board. Boxing is a sport but there is some truth in the old adage that it’s ‘show business with blood’ and Bernard is a real showman. To have 7,000 people at the weekend is terrific and I’m sure that will translate into the kind of atmosphere that will make it a night to remember.”
While fans may no longer be able to get their hands on tickets for Saturday nights fight they can follow all the action live on RTÉ TWO from 10pm. Live coverage of the fight will also be available via a webcast on RTÉ.ie.
Saturday nights card also features another first for the Point as it hosts it’s first ever Irish title fight. Local puncher Jonathan “The Thunderbolt” O’ Brien was born less than 10 minutes from the famous venue so he’ll be looking to take the Irish Light Heavyweight title home when he clashes with English based Mayo man Michael Monaghan.
The undercard also includes appearances from popular Cork man Billy Walsh, 6ft 7″ heavyweight sensation Scott Belshaw and light welterweight prospect Stephen Haughian. Also on the bill are the unbeaten trio of Andrew Wallace, Eugene Heagney and Wayne Brooks.