Art Pelullo, Banner Promotions and Tommy Egan Promotions have sensationally claimed they could guarantee Bernard Dunne a World Title shot in a matter of months if the former European Super Bantamweight Champion was free from all other promotional obligations. Neilstown native, Dunne (27-1) has bemoaned, in the press this week, the fact his career seems to have stalled somewhat and it appears his boxing dreams and goals maybe caught up in a complex web of boxing politics..
It looks as if there is more political wrangling in Dunne’s career than the currently recession hit Dail and former amateur boxer Egan claims its a “disgrace” Ireland’s biggest ever boxing draw still hasn’t challenged for a World title.
Dunne’s manager Brian Peter’s and Frank Maloney have exchanged harsh words like fighters would blows in recent months in relation to a potential Rendall Munroe Dunne European Title fight. After the public spat, that fight never came off and team Dunne are now talking of a summer World Title bout. But Egan fears further political wrangling may also hamper what would be a deserved crack at a World crown for Dunne.
The successful business man turned promoter also believes all of the current World Title holders would be attracted to a fight with Dunne, a fighter he claims is the biggest Super Bantamweight on the planet, but stressed he fears that may not happen, and this could be a nightmare rather than a dream year for one of Ireland’s greatest ever boxers.
“If Bernard Dunne was free from all promotional contracts and free to talk to a promoter we could guarantee him a World Title fight in a matter of months. Art Pelullo, who is one of the most powerful and influential boxing promoters in the world, and I would love Bernard to be part of the Banner Promotions Tommy Egan Promotions deal. That is what this deal is about we can offer Irish fighters big fights. Bernard is a brilliant fighter and the biggest Irish boxing draw this island has seen. It is a disgrace he hasn’t had a World Title fight confirmed as of yet,” Egan explained.
“I really feel for Bernard.Boxing politics seem to be getting in the way of his destiny and legacy. Bernard as a fighter is the number one Super Bantamweight in the world in terms of financial clout and marketability, but he seems to be caught in limbo. He can’t get a fight with Rendall Munroe and the World Title fight is coming too slow. Any champion in any of the governing bodies would be attracted to fighting Bernard but it hasn’t come off yet. As a boxing fan and a friend of Bernard I would love to see him achieve his goals and dreams. If he was free to talk to promoters I could guarantee him a deserved World Title shot. In fairness to Brian Peters he has done a lot for Irish professional boxing and he got Bernard his European title. As of late, however, our biggest ever boxing star’s career seems to have faltered and I would fear he may not realize his enormous potential,” Egan added
Injury forces Lindsay to postpone British title clash
Hayemaker Boxing regret to inform that Martin Lindsay’s attempts to win the British featherweight title from champion Paul Appleby on March 7 have been scuppered by injury.
The injury – picked up in sparring on Tuesday – has forced a postponement of the original March 7 contest, though both boxers will renew acquaintances at a later date.
The postponement comes as a blow to both Lindsay and Appleby, who were gearing up to play their part in one of the most eagerly anticipated domestic showdowns of 2009.
Hayemaker Boxing apologise for the cancellation of the bout and will reschedule the planned show in Belfast at a later date.
Darwish Brothers Knockout Promotions Show Rescheduled for Feb. 3
Little Falls- The Darwish Brothers Knockout Promotions Show scheduled for January 22 is postponed and will be rescheduled for Tuesday, February 3. “Knockout Night” will still take place at the Meadowlands Sheraton Hotel in East Rutherford, NJ.
The show was jeopardized by the inability of a key fighter to make weight and an injury to another. The updated lineup for the show will be announced shortly.
Tickets already purchased for this event will be honored at the new date. For more information on this show and others, call 973-339-9611 or visit www.darwishbrothers.com .