09.02.07 – Following on from his historic European title success at the Point last November Bernard Dunne will return to the venue for the first defence of his belt on Sunday, March 25th. Over 7,000 fans packed into a sold out Point last time out while over half a million watched live on RTÉ TWO as Dunne lifted the European title after a boxing masterclass against Esham Pickering. Now Bernard wants to cement his position as the best in Europe and is willing to take on all comers for his beloved belt. First in the queue is Yersin Jailauov a 29-year-old from Kazakhstan who will arrive in Dublin next month determined to relieve Dunne of his prized possession..
The undefeated Dubliner though is determined to ensure that Jailauov will return to Kazakhstan empty handed. “This belt’s going nowhere,” said Dunne.
“It looks very nice on my mantelpiece and that’s where it will be staying. I’ve worked all my life to become European Champion and I really want to make my mark at this level before we go after the World title.”
Dunne’s manager Brian Peters is also keen to see his fighter clean up on the Continent. “If it was up to Bernard he’d fight for the World title tomorrow but it’s all about timing and getting the right experience.
“Bernard’s just moved to a new level by winning the European title. It’s the nature of the world today that everyone is in a rush but we won’t be rushed into fighting for a World title before it suits us.
“It’s important to remember that Bernard has just gone 12 rounds for the first time so rushing him into a World title fight would make no sense at the moment. For example when Barry McGuigan won the European title he had 8 more fights before he took on Eusebio Pedroza for the World title so it’s important not to rush things.
“The great thing about Bernard is that he is still improving and hopefully he will demonstrate that this year by mopping up in Europe. There are some very good fighters in the EBU’s list of challengers but we’re willing to take on all comers. With the backing from RTÉ and our sponsors we’ve already brought one great night to the Point and believe me there are plenty more to come.”
Jailauov though will be out to spoil the party on March 25th. The East European enjoyed an exceptional amateur career before transferring to the professional code in 2000. In 1998 he took Gold at the prestigious Goodwill Games in New York seeing off local favourite Roberto Benitez to take the top honours.
So far in his pro career he’s compiled an impressive record of 19 wins from his 23 outings. That leaves 4 defeats of which one in particular rankles with the Kazakh fighter.
That defeat came last year when he challenged then European Champion Michael Hunter only to be stopped prematurely following a controversial stoppage by the referee.
Jailauov’s awkward style appeared to be presenting the champion with problems when inexplicably and out of nowhere the referee stopped the fight in Hunters favour. Media reports at the time called the stoppage, “truly, truly bizarre stuff” and “a terrible stoppage”
“I think we can discount that result really when taking Jailauov into account,” said Peters. “He jumped at the chance to fight Bernard because he was so disgusted at the early stoppage in his fight with Hunter so he sees this as a chance to make amends.”
“Certainly his amateur credentials are very impressive and as a pro he has some very decent wins against top class Russians like Alexander Fedorov and Yuri Voronin. And I’m sure I don’t need to remind people just how dangerous Voronin is in particular. We all know him from his fight with Bernard.”
“Jailauov won’t be afraid of coming to Dublin either, he fought Hunter in England and has also fought in Spain and Thailand. In fact one of his fights in Thailand was against Somsak Sithchatchawal who won the WBA World title last year so that tells you the kind of class he’s been mixing in. However I think he’s in for a new experience when he samples the atmosphere at a Bernard Dunne fight.”
Peters believes that a successful defence against Jailauov will further improve Dunne’s standing in the world ratings. He said, “Bernard’s now well ranked with all four of the major sanctioning bodies.
“He’s number 7 with the WBO, 8 with the WBA, 12 with the WBC and 13 on the IBF’s list. What’s more he’s also ranked in the Ring ratings at number 10 and they are seen as the most prestigious ratings available.”
Dunne though is refusing to get carried away by having his name in “high places”. “It’s great that your progress is recognised by the sanctioning bodies and especially the Ring but for now I just need to concentrate on getting Jailauov out of the way on March 25th.
“I’ve enjoyed the Pickering win and had a good break but it’s back to business now and I’m looking forward to putting that first notch on the belt.”
Peters is predicting that business will be brisk at the box office when tickets go on sale from Ticketmaster at 9am tomorrow morning. “Bernard became the first boxer ever to sell out the Point last time and I’ve no doubt he’ll do it again this time only quicker. There was over half a million watching on RTÉ which is well up there with any of the major sporting events from last year so Bernard has proved that he really is big box office now.
“The atmosphere at the Point the last night was absolutely sensational and one to rival anything in world sport let alone Ireland so a Bernard Dunne fight night really has become a must see event and the demand for tickets reflects this.”
Macklin and McKay set for All Irish showdown
An All Irish middleweight showdown could steal the show at the Point on March 25th when Matthew Macklin and Jason McKay clash for the Irish title.
It will be Macklin’s first outing since his fight of the decade candidate with Jamie Moore in Manchester last year.
Their September showdown for Moore’s British light middleweight title ended in brave defeat for Macklin after an enthralling back and forth war which fight fans will remember for a long time to come.
Macklin is adamant that the defeat can ultimately be the making of his career. The Birmingham based Irishman said, “I know I fought the wrong fight against Jamie Moore but I’ve taken a lot of lessons from the experience. That was the difference between us on the night, Jamie just had that little bit more experience but other than that there was nothing to choose between us.
“People forget that I’m still only 24 so I’ll come back a better, smarter fighter because of that defeat. I’ve seen McKay and he’s a good fighter but I’m more determined than ever to go all the way in this sport and I won’t let McKay stand in my way.”
McKay though will have other ideas. The Banbridge man has just one defeat from his 17 pro fights and even that defeat was widely acknowledged as a “hometown” decision.
At the Point last November McKay stepped up to light heavyweight at short notice to claim the Irish light heavyweight title against Michael Monaghan. Now he’s back down to his natural weight and planning to upset Macklin’s grand plans.
While there has been plenty of talk in the past between a potential John Duddy – Matthew Macklin fight McKay feels he should be first in line to tackle the undefeated Derryman who is currently the toast of New York.
McKay’s trainer John Breen said, “Jason was the last Irish man to beat Duddy in the amateurs so we’d love that fight again in the pros. I think it would be a great fight for the Irish middleweight title so once Jason gets past Macklin we’d love to take on Duddy.”
As for Macklin he too would welcome a showdown with Duddy. “People say that I keep calling Duddy out but that’s simply not true. It’s just that in almost every interview I do people ask about a fight between us and my answer is always the same – I’d love it.
“It would be a great fight. I’ve met John and he seems a really nice guy so I’m not going to bad mouth him but if that fight could be made I’d have it tomorrow.”
Sinclair back on the title trail
Former World title challenger and undefeated British welterweight champion Neil Sinclair is another quality addition to the March 25th card.
The Belfast man is widely recognised as one of the hardest punchers pound for pound in Europe with 23 of his 28 wins coming via knockout.
After an excellent amateur career which included Commonwealth Gold and a Bronze medal at the World Junior championships “Sinky” turned pro in 1995.
In December of 2000 he took on WBO welterweight champion, Daniel Santos in Sheffield but his World title bid ended in brave defeat having floored the champion in the opening round.
Within a year of that defeat Sinclair had bounced back to win the British title and he successfully defended it three times to win a prestigious Lonsdale belt outright.
Last time out Sinclair made his U.S. debut headlining an ESPN card that was televised live coast to coast in the U.S. Now back in Belfast Sinclair is hoping for a busy 2007 and has his sights set on a European title.
The 32-year-old’s trainer John Breen said, “I’d put Neil Sinclair in with anyone in Europe right now. He’s the hardest puncher I’ve ever trained but he has loads of boxing ability as well. I genuinely believe Neil is a world class fighter and hopefully he can finally prove it this year.”
First though Sinclair will have to get past England’s “Fearless” Francis Jones on next months card if he is to progress to bigger things later in the year.
Scott Belshaw – Big Man, Big Hopes
Scott Belshaw is a man on a mission and at 6 foot 7 and at almost 17 and a half stone it’s not going to be easy to stop him. The Lisburn heavyweight turned professional last year and has so far racked up four straight wins with all four coming via knockout.
Belshaw will have fight number 5 at the Point on Match 25th as he looks to continue his march to what he hopes will lead to the World Heavyweight title.
“Boxing is what I have always wanted to do and Mike Tyson is my idol. He got me into boxing from the start, I thought he was amazing.
“He was exciting and it was always the big punch. At school they said to me to just get a proper job, I suppose because I had passed seven of the nine GCSE’s I took. Tyson was a force of nature and I admired George Foreman, but I don’t model myself on either. I have quite a unique style.”
Still only 21 Belshaw is a baby in heavyweight terms but the Frank Maloney managed fighter is quickly developing a reputation as a fearsome puncher. He puts that down to some old fashioned “Rocky Balboa” like training.
“I train at the Eastside gym in Belfast and after I have run in the morning, I go to the gym and do pad work, bag work and skipping. But what I like most is the old fashioned type of training. They have set up an aeroplane tyre for me there and I like to spend time hitting it with sledgehammer that has a 28lbs (two stone) head. The tyre is huge, it stands about 1 meter off the ground.”
Despite his sheer size and strength Belshaw says that boxing is not in the genes. “My Dad was not into boxing or any sports for that matter. On mum’s side of the family, they are all farmers and Dad is a joiner. He’s very proud of me as are all my mates.
“My dream is to be heavyweight champion. I have surprised myself as I’m an ‘on the night’ fighter. My attitude is ‘I’m going to go as far as I possibly can’. I am in a sport where one punch can end a contest. I know I have something special and have a lot going for me and Frank Maloney has a lot of faith in me.”
Maloney is the man who guided Lennox Lewis to become undisputed World heavyweight champion and this is his second big Irish heavyweight.
Mike Tyson conqueror Kevin McBride also turned pro under Maloney but the diminutive Londoner is adamant that this is one 6’ 7 Irish heavyweight who can go all the way to a World title.
Haughian gets right to the Point
When you decide to ditch your amateur vest at the tender age of 19 and turn professional you’d better be good and almost two years on it’s a case of so far so good for Lurgan’s Stephen Haughian.
Seven fights into his pro career and the light welterweight has enjoyed seven straight victories making it look easy to date. Last time out he caught the eye with an another impressive display at the Point last November.
Trainer and manager Breen is delighted with his young prospect.
“Stephen’s a dream to work with, he’s a great learner and it’s hard to believe he’s had little or no experience as a senior in the amateurs. He’s turning into a terrific little pro.”
Haughian will face English opposition next month in the shape of Brighton’s Chill John in an 8 round bout.
Another “terrific little pro” is English featherweight prospect, Paul Truscott. The 20-year-old from Middlesborough turned pro last June after an impressive amateur career and has so far racked up 4 straight wins. His appearance on the March 25th card will mark his Irish debut.
The Polish are coming!
Next months show will also feature the Irish debut of exciting Polish middleweight prospect Lukasz Wawrzyczek. Promoter Brian Peters outlined the reasons for involving the undefeated 23-year-old on the show.
“There are over 200,000 Polish people living in Ireland so I think they deserve to have someone to cheer on in the boxing ring and in Lukasz we have one of Polish boxing’s brightest prospects.
“He’s undefeated in four fights and his manager has so much faith in his ability that he has no problem stepping him up to an 8 rounder for this fight even though he’s only fought 4 rounders to date.”
Peters has also inked a deal with Polish TV so that Wawrzyczek’s fight will be broadcast back to Poland along with the remainder of the card including Dunne – Jailauov and Macklin – McKay.
Ticket Information
Tickets priced from €60 are available from Ticketmaster outlets or online at Ticketmaster.ie
Lineup
Bernard Dunne V Yersin Jailauov – European Super Bantamweight Title (12 Rounds)
Matthew Macklin V Jason McKay – Irish Middleweight Title (10 Rounds)
Neil Sinclair V Francis Jones – Welterweight contest (8 Rounds)
Stephen Haughian V Chill John – Light Welterweight contest (8 Rounds)
Scott Belshaw V To Be Confirmed – Heavyweight contest (4 Rounds)
Lukasz Wawrzyczek V To Be Confirmed – Middleweight contest (8 Rounds)
Paul Truscott V To Be Confirmed – Featherweight contest (8 Rounds)