Bernard Dunne: “I’m 28 now so I know I need to step up to the mark and test myself against the big names at world level and hopefully 2009 will be all about that but for now the only thing I’m thinking about is beating Cristian Faccio and getting another win under my belt. All the talk about world title fights will mean nothing if I slip up tomorrow night and this guy has to be respected. He’s only just fought for the world title himself and is world rated, he’s mixed in some good company and there’s no doubt he can bang as well, his record proves that..”
“I got great support here in Castlebar when I fought Machado and I’ve no doubt it will be the same tomorrow night. In fact if anything it might be better second time around because coming back from the Martinez fight you could even detect that people in the crowd were nervous but the confidence is back now and I’m hoping to put in a really big performance.
“The arena at the Breaffy House Resort is a fabulous venue for boxing and the atmosphere should be electric there tomorrow.”
Cristian Faccio: “We know what happened the last time Bernard Dunne met a big puncher. I’ve watched his fights and he is a good boxer but this is a great opportunity for me to get another world title fight and I will not let it pass me by. I was already in training for another fight when this big chance came up and I even managed to fit in a warm up fight last month and knocked my opponent out in the first round.
“I think Dunne will probably look to outbox me for the first few rounds but I will make it a fight and then there will only be one winner. I know I have the power to knock him out and I’m confident I will do just that.”
Doors open at the International Arena at the Breaffy House Resort tomorrow evening from 6pm. RTÉ TWO’s live broadcast begins at 9pm with coverage also available worldwide on rte.ie.
Weigh-In: Bernard Dunne (122 pounds) V Cristian Faccio (121 pounds)
Henry Coyle (157 pounds) V Delroy Mitchell (158 pounds)
Stephen Haughian (150 pounds) V Giammario Grassellini (147 pounds)