Belfast featherweight Martin Lindsay hopes to one day emulate countryman and WBA super-bantamweight champion Bernard Dunne and scoop world title honours of his own. Gearing up for this Saturday’s (April 25) British title dust-up with Paul Appleby, the talented ‘Mac Man’ has been buoyed by the crowning of Ireland’s latest world champion. “I didn’t know what to expect before the fight,” says Lindsay of Dunne’s WBA title fight with Ricardo Cordoba in March..
“I knew Cordoba’s record and reputation, but I’d never seen him actually box before. I knew Dunne was going to be up against it, though. The fight was just brilliant. There were times in the fifth round where Dunne looked like he was on his way out and yet he came back superbly and won the title.
“It was a tremendous fight to watch and I’m sure the crowd got their money’s worth with that one. It was an amazing moment for Irish boxing.”
Admitting he was inspired by Dunne’s rise to prominence in the super-bantamweight division, Lindsay may one day find himself on a collision course with the newly-installed WBA champion.
“It wouldn’t be a bad fight for Ireland, would it?” says the 26-year-old Lindsay. “I’m sure Bernard’s got other plans right now, though, and I’ve heard he’s looking at Israel Vasquez. He’ll be looking to jump on to the big stage now. Whatever Dunne goes on and does now is a bonus. Nobody can ever take away what he did against Cordoba.”
Before Lindsay can even start dreaming of world title shots, he must first conquer Appleby on April 25 at the Ulster Hall. Both unbeaten, both hungry for titles and both highly-rated by boxing aficionados, Appleby vs. Lindsay figures to be one of the most intriguing domestic battles of 2009.
The 21-year-old Appleby realises the threat of Lindsay and has prepared accordingly.
“Training’s gone very well,” says Appleby, 14-0 (9 KO). “I spent six weeks in Cyprus and I feel better than I’ve ever felt before. I haven’t had to watch my weight so much this time round because the first date between the pair of us was postponed. That gave me a few more weeks to get down to the weight. I kept on training hard throughout, but just started eating more normal again. I didn’t have to worry too much about dieting.
“It’s quite hard to make featherweight. I’m not going to lie about it. My future will probably be at super-featherweight or lightweight. I may even end up at light-welterweight in the future.”
A promising featherweight for the time being, Appleby enters the lion’s den on Saturday night, hell-bent on retaining his prestigious Lonsdale belt. Despite the recent run of Irish boxing victories, Appleby is relishing the chance to beat Lindsay in Belfast.
“I’m actually looking forward to boxing away in Ireland,” admits Appleby. “Hopefully the crowd are booing me a bit. That will get me even more psyched up and make me want to win even more. I’d fight Lindsay anywhere. It doesn’t bother me. I just love to box, no matter where the ring is.”
*** Martin Lindsay’s British title shot against Paul Appleby takes place at the Ulster Hall, Belfast on April 25. Tickets priced at £35, £50 and £70 can be purchased directly by calling 02890 334 455.
*** Setanta Sports televise HAYEMAKER 8: ‘Appleby vs. Lindsay’ live from the Ulster Hall on April 25. Also appearing at HAYEMAKER 8 will be Ryan Rhodes, George Groves, Curtis Woodhouse, Michael Maguire and Luke Wilton.
SEXTON: I’LL RUIN ROGIE’S HOMECOMING!
Norwich puncher Sam Sexton says he will ruin Martin Rogan’s homecoming on May 15 in Belfast.
Sexton will tackle Rogan for the Commonwealth heavyweight title at the Odyssey Arena on an action-packed card to be televised by Sky Sports.
And the Norwich puncher is vowing to derail Rogan’s world title dream following back-to-back victories over Audley Harrison and Matt Skelton.
“To beat someone like Rogan you have to show him no respect and go straight to him. I’m not planning on any fancy dan boxing, I’m just going to meet him head on and see what he’s got and if he can take what he dishes out,” said Sexton.
“I know I’m going to be in for a war and I’ll have to go into the trenches but that is what I relish.
“I know there will be a hostile crowd in Belfast, but as soon as I start landing then I’ll silence them.
“This fight is being billed as a big homecoming for Rogan after two hard fights on the road, but don’t expect me to be the fall guy.
“I feel sorry for all the Belfast fans who are turning up expecting a Rogan win, I just want them to know now that I’m coming to ruin his little party.
Sexton, still only 24, has shown plenty of promise in his 12 fights to date, winning 11 of them.
And like Rogan, he triumphed in a Prizefighter heavyweight tournament, pocketing £25,000 after winning three times in one night.
“That was a nice bit of cash,” said Sexton.
“But I know that if I beat Rogan then there will be even bigger sums on offer.
“Domestically, Martin is the man to beat at the moment, and if I knock him out then I’m going to be in line for some big pay days.”
Tickets are priced at £150 (Ringside), £100 (Floor), £60 (Floor), £40 (Tier) and £30 (Tier) are available from: Odyssey Arena Box Office 02890 739 074 www.odysseyarena.com
ST GEORGE’S SPORTING CLUB BACKS THE TROOPS
FRANK MALONEY will be fighting for Britain’s troops when he launches the St George’s Sporting Club on April 23.
The inaugural dinner and boxing show at the The Troxy in the heart of London will also celebrate Maloney’s 25 years as a professional boxing promoter.
All profits will be split between the Army Benevolent Fund and the Edward Starr Charitable Trust, which exists to improve the life of children.
Heading the four fight boxing card will be serving soldier Ross Burkinshaw (5-1-2) who meets Liverpool’s Mike Robinson (4-0-1) for the vacant English super-bantamweight title over ten rounds.
The guest speaker at the mixed sex gala event will be former Royal Marine and IBF light-welterweight title holder Terry Marsh.
Other fights will feature former British light-middleweight title challenges Gary Woolcombe (26-2) and heavyweight hope Tom Dallas (4-0).
Sheffield’s Burkinshaw and Robinson fought a draw when they met in February and their rematch promises to be even more exciting with the national crown on the line.
The Troxy is a splendid art deco Grade II listed building situated between the City of London and Canary Wharf a left hook from where Maloney first started out in boxing at The Castle Pub.
Some of the country’s finest chefs will prepare a three course meal for guests with the theme traditional English cooking, and rightly so on St George’s Day.
Maloney first entered the boxing arena 30 years ago as a trainer, but has been staging shows from Lewisham to Las Vegas over the last 25 years.
He has also handled four major world champions Lennox Lewis, Scott Harrison, David Haye, and Paul Ingle.
Maloney is currently promotes two European champions Jamie, Moore and Rendall Munroe. His British and Commonwealth champions are Chris Edwards, Lee Haskins and Tony Quigley, Jason Booth and Ajose Olusegun.
Olympic bronze medallists Tony Jeffries and Darren Sutherland are also promoted by FTM Sports.
Tickets for this special launch night are £85 per person or £800 for a table of ten. Tickets will also be available to attend the boxing only, price £35. People purchasing those tickets will not be able to gain admittance until after 9.45pm.
You can buy tickets by calling the St George’s Sporting Club on 0208 467 7647, 0871 226 1508 or www.frankmaloney.com