Martin Lindsey and Paul Appleby won’t be just be fighting for the British featherweight championship in the Ulster Hall Belfast on Saturday night, as victory in the much anticipated clash could guarantee either emerging talent a coveted world title shot. Art Pelullo Banner Promotions and Tommy Egan Promotions have confirmed that the victor from the mouth watering clash between the two undefeated punchers, which will be aired live on Setanta Sports on Saturday night, would be offered a shot at current IBF World Featherweight Champion, Cristobal Cruz (38-11-1)..
In another amazing development, the fight, were it to come off, could be staged in Belfast Northern Ireland or Glasgow Scotland.
The potential world title fight does hinge on Cruz emerging unscathed from his mandatory defense in July. But Irish promoter Egan is confident the fight could come off and believes his link with Banner Promotions could see more British and Irish fighters been offered big time fights.
“I am authorised by Art Pelullo President of Banner Promotions Philadelphia PA to offer the winner of the British featherweight title clash on Saturday a fight with IBF World Featherweight Champion Cristobal Cruz, should he come unscathed from his next defense. I have already had talks with Appleby’s people, Tommy Gilmore and Matchroom as well as Lindseys camp John Rooney and Haymaker Promotions,” Egan explained.
“Further more the fight could be held in either Glasgow or Belfast depending. Art Pelullo, Banner Promotions and I would be delighted to host other big world title fights in Ireland or Britain. Granted, Cruz must come through his next defense victorious, but it is great motivation for both fighters ahead of their British title fight. Both are very exciting young fighters and this would be a great opportunity for either,” the Irish promoter added.
“Banner Promotions and Tommy Egan are very interested in bringing big shows to Ireland and Britain. We can offer Irish and British fighters the chance to achieve their boxing goals. Banner Promotions only do big shows. All their shows are televised and they are interested in developing strong links via myself to Ireland and Britain. Hopefully this offer to Martin Lindsey or Paul Appleby is the first of many.”
Return Of The Mac – Martin ‘Mac Man’ Lindsay Ready For Belfast Title Clash
Belfast’s Martin ‘Mac Man’ Lindsay (13-0) is coming home in style and is more than ready for his biggest challenge to date, when he takes on British Featherweight champion, Scotland’s Paul Appleby (14-0), for his title on the 25th April at Ulster Hall in Belfast.
Lindsay, the current Irish Boxing Writer’s “Young Prospect Of The Year”, secured the right to face Appleby for the coveted Lonsdale belt after a stunning come-from-behind 9th round knockout of Liverpool’s Derry Mathews in September ‘08 at David ‘Hayemaker’ Haye’s promotional debut event in Sheffield.
26 year old Lindsay is particularly looking forward to the fight on the 25th April as it will be only the second time he will have fought in front of his home crowd having campaigned in Canada for Orion promotions since 2007.
Lindsay, who is managed by John Rooney Jnr. of Gleason’s Gym in London and sponsored by P.U.G. Athletic, is clearly pleased to be home and has nothing but praise for his Canadian former hosts when he said. “They put on brilliant shows out in Canada, gave me some tough learning fights and also delivered me my first title (winning the IBF Youth Featherweight title against Uriel Barrera in October ‘07). They picked hard opponents and I thrived on it.
As much as I enjoyed my time out there (in Canada), I was always hoping to come back and fight in Ireland and England. Nobody from home really got to see me fight out in Canada. Fighting in front of my home crowd will give me a lot more profile and will actually allow people to see what I can do.
In any fight, especially at this level, you’re going to have have to dig deep and pull it out. The home crowd does help to bring that out of you a wee bit. It gives you a little bit extra. If things start going pear-shaped you can always rely on the crowd for that extra boost.”
Don’t forget to put a note in your diary as you will not want to miss this, 25th April ‘09 at the Ulster Hall in Belfast, because the long awaited clash between the two most exciting and unbeaten young prospects is finally on and is surely destined to be one of the highlights of an already excellent domestic boxing season.
Martin Lindsay’s British title fight against Paul Appleby takes place at the Ulster hall, Belfast on 25th April. Tickets priced at £35, £50 and £70 can be purchased directly by calling 02890 334455