BEIJING OLYMPIC SILVER medallist Kenneth Egan faces Joe Ward again tonight as he bids to reclaim his Irish title, having lost it last year to the young challenger.
The 81kg final of the Elite Senior Championships has divided opinion across the board, as this poll shows.
With everything to fight for, here’s what the great and good of Irish boxing think this afternoon:
Young guns
Olympic gold medallist Michael Carruth: “It’s a tough call my heart says Kenny but my head says Joe. Let’s hope it lives up to all the hype, but I think youth will win.”
Ciaran Healy, former Irish light-heavyweight professional champion: “Ward. Just youth and hungrier I think. I’d like to see Kenny winning but think Ward has his number:
World Youth silver medallist and promising pro Jamie Kavanagh: “Ward.”
Cork-based Cuban light-heavyweight hope Luis Garcia: “I did sparring with Joe Ward last year, he’s a strong guy, I think he can beat Ken Egan for sure.
Ian Tims, Irish cruiserweight champion: “Ward might have the edge. I heard Egan wants it bad but Ward’s European champ, he’s a tough kid just think he’ll be too tough on the night.”
Four-weight Irish champion Jim Rock: “I feel Ward’s youthfulness and determination will see him take it on points. Kenny has been on top for so long and I think the new kid on the block will prevail.”
Old guard:
Ex-European super-bantamweight champ Willie Casey: “I’ll give it to Egan this time. I wouldn’t rule Ward out but I think Egan will be more up for it this time.”
Anthony Fitzgerald, Irish super-middle and EBA middleweight champion: “Egan. Why? because he’s a better boxer.”
Paddy Gallagher, Commonwealth gold medallist and WSB star: “I’m saying Egan this time but hard to call.”
Former Australian light-welterweight champion Dean Byrne: “Egan is my mate so I’ll be hoping he does the biz and got the experience but Ward is a tough customer and brings it – will be a good one.”
WBF world champion Patrick Hyland: “Egan.”
Current Irish light-heavyweight pro champ Paddy McDonagh: “It’s a 50/50 fight, hard to pick. If push came to shove I’d go for Egan.”
Former BUI light-heavyweight champ John Waldron: “I think Egan underestimated him last year – it’ll be a different story this year.”
On the fence:
Stephen Ormond, former senior champ now 11-0: “Good fight between them can’t knock Egan with his experience and Ward’s skill for his age. Whatever way it goes, it’s a close one.”
World middleweight title contender Andy Lee: “I haven’t seen much of Ward. Thought the ref ruined the fight last time. So I’m on the fence.”
European gold medallist in 1991 Paul Griffin: “To be honest I don’t really know. Both in great form. Boxing is a strange game.”
RTE analyst and former WBA and European champ Bernard Dunne is waiting until the last minute: “I’ll make that decision on TV on the night.”
Result -Ward 6, Egan 7 Not sure 4
What do you think?
Poll Results:
We’ll liveblog the action tonight from the National Stadium