Khan do? Irish hope Paul McCloskey aiming for famous win in Manchester?

THE WAITING IS almost over for Paul McCloskey, who tonight will enter the ring at Manchester’s MEN Arena to take on Amir Khan for the Briton’s WBA Light Welterweight Title.

A McCloskey win would arguably be one of the finest Irish boxing performances, but despite that the build-up has been dominated by a row about the screening of the fight on TV.

Last week, it appeared that the fight will be shown on Sky Sports, after the network pulled its planned pay-per-view offering. However, within 48 hours the situation had changed and those who wish to watch the fight will now have to pay the little-known Primetime network for the privilege.

The long-term ramifications of Khan’s SKY snub remain to be seen, but most agree the decision by his team to take the fight away from the effective paymasters of British boxing was misguided (one prominent British promoter labelled it ‘commercial suicide’). Sky ‘insiders’ have reportedly vowed to never screen another Khan bout, but Lennox Lewis and Ricky Hatton both took fights off the network during their careers, only to return shortly thereafter, so this may yet prove to be little more than a speed bump in their working relationship.

In the ring

For now though, the focus is on the MEN Arena and McCloskey’s chance to shock the boxing world. It’s less than six months since Khan’s career-best win over Marcos Maidana, and as a result of that fine performance, tonight’s fight will be screened on HBO in the US. Americans will know little about the Dungiven native, but if he were to upset Amir this would soon change.

The sad reality though is that with little marketing and a hefty fee to watch the fight, very few people here in Ireland are actually likely to see it.
While a victory for McCloskey would certainly be an upset, there are good signs. There will be a huge Irish contingent in the MEN shouting on their man, while there also seems to be confidence inside his camp.

Asked by a twitter follower if a hostile atmosphere would be a factor, the response from McCloskey’s account was emphatic: “Won’t be an issue>FACT”.

[caption id="attachment_121861" align="aligncenter" width="630" caption="Paul McCloskey prepares in a cryotheraphy chamber this week."][/caption]

But I do remember what happened Khan the last time he met an unbeaten fighter in the M.E.N

Best of luck Dudey.

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Two other Irishmen will be on the card in Manchester tonight. Cavan’s Andy Murray seeks his 24th straight win, as he faces Dezzie Higginson. The bout is a big one for Murray who is the number one challenger for the European Lightweight Title held by his namesake John.

The Mancunian was unimpressive in retaining that title against Karim El Ouazghari two weeks ago, so while the Irishman will fancy his chances in that contest, he’ll need to perform in front of the champion’s fans.

Meanwhile, Dubliner Jamie Kavanagh should win his sixth straight contest against wily journeyman Sid Razak. While journeymen like Razak get little credit in the media, these men are crucial in allowing the sport’s young stars gain experience. Razak is a prime example of this – tonight’s fight is his ninth this year.

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Tonight also sees Andre Berto face the toughest fight of his career to date, against the solid Victor Ortiz. Berto, a welterweight titlist, has won each of his 27 contests to date but the biggest scalps on his record are the likes of Luis Collazo and Steve Forbes, both second-tier fighters at best. It should also be noted that of while Berto has 21 knockouts to his name, they haven’t come against his toughest opponents.

Ortiz is unbeaten in his last five five contests, but has never fought at the 147lb limit, which will count against him tonight. For Berto, a win, and an impressive one at that, is necessary to make the transition from prospect to star.

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A grudge-match for the British Heavyweight Title has inched closer this week with the announcement that promoter Nick Hennessy has won purse bids to stage the bout between Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury. The British Boxing Board of Control ordered Chisora to defend his title against the unbeaten Fury after he had remained inactive for 8 months, largely due to Wladamir Klitschko twice pulling out of scheduled fights against the Londoner. Whether this actually fight happens, and when, remains to be seen but should it happen, expect a fantastic contest.

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This week in boxing history

In a sport where competitors do battle in the ring, one fight in boxing’s centuries of history is known as ‘The War’.

On April 15th, 1985, Marvellous Marvin Hagler (to give him his full name) squared off against Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns. The fight for the Middleweight Championship of the World ended in the third round, but gave fans the most famous seven minutes and 52 seconds in the history of the sport.

Round 1, in particular, remains revered and were declared the greatest round in boxing history by Ring Magazine. The camera angle for much of the round’s final minute, where the fighters go toe-to-toe in full view of the world, is a personal highlight.

Khan Dudey Do It?

The waiting is almost over for Paul McCloskey, who tonight will enter the ring at Manchester’s MEN Arena to take on Amir Khan for the Briton’s WBA Light Welterweight Title. A McCloskey win would arguably be one of the finest Irish boxing performances, but despite that the build-up has been dominated by a row about the screening of the fight on TV.
Last week, it appeared that the fight will be shown on Sky Sports, after the network pulled its planned pay-per-view offering. However, within 48 hours the situation had changed and those who wish to watch the fight will now have to pay the little-known Primetime network for the privilege.
The long-term ramifications of Khan’s SKY snub remain to be seen, but most agree the decision by his team to take the fight away from the effective paymasters of British boxing was misguided (one prominent British promoter labelled it ‘commercial suicide’). SKY ‘insiders’ have reportedly vowed to never screen another Khan bout, but Lennox Lewis and Ricky Hatton both took fights off the network during their careers, only to return shortly thereafter, so this may yet prove to be little more than a speed bump in their working relationship.
For now though, the focus is on the MEN Arena and McCloskey’s chance to shock the boxing world. It’s less than six months since Khan’s career-best win over Marcos Maidana, and as a result of that fine performance, tonight’s fight will be screened on HBO in the US. Americans will know little about the Dungiven native, but if he were to upset Amir this would soon change. The sad reality though is that with little marketing and a hefty fee to watch the fight, very few people here in Ireland are actually likely to see it.
While a victory for McCloskey would certainly be an upset, there are good signs. There will be a huge Irish contingent in the MEN shouting on their man, while there also seems to be confidence inside his camp. Asked by a twitter follower if a hostile atmosphere would be a factor, the response from McCloskey’s account was emphatic.
Won’t be an issue>FACT. But I do remember what happened Khan the last time he met an unbeaten fighter in the M.E.N
VIDEO HERE
Best of luck Dudey.
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Two other Irishmen will be on the card in Manchester tonight. Cavan’s Andy Murray seeks his 24th straight win against Dezzie Higginson. The bout is a big one for Murray who is the number one challenger for the European Lightweight Title held by his namesake John. The Mancunian was unimpressive in retaining that title against Karim El Ouazghari two weeks ago, so while the Irishman will fancy his chances in that contest, he’ll need to perform in front of the champion’s fans.
Meanwhile, Dubliner Jamie Kavanagh should win his 6th straight contest against wily journeyman Sid Razak. While journeymen like Razak get little credit in the media, these men are crucial in allowing the sport’s young stars gain experience. Razak is a prime example of this – tonight’s fight is his ninth this year.
++
Tonight also sees Andre Berto face the toughest fight of his career to date, against the solid Victor Ortiz. Berto, a welterweight titlist, has won each of his 27 contests to date but the biggest scalps on his record are the likes of Luis Collazo and Steve Forbes, both second-tier fighters at best. It should also be noted that of while Berto has 21 knockouts to his name, they haven’t come against his toughest opponents.
Ortiz is unbeaten in his last five five contests, but has never fought at the 147lb limit, which will count against him tonight. For Berto, a win, and an impressive one at that, is necessary to make the transition from prospect to star.
++
A grudge-match for the British Heavyweight Title has inched closer this week with the announcement that promoter Nick Hennessy has won purse bids to stage the bout between Derek Chisora and Tyson Fury. The British Boxing Board of Control ordered Chisora to defend his title against the unbeaten Fury after he had remained inactive for 8 months, largely due to Wladamir Klitschko twice pulling out of scheduled fights against the Londoner. Whether this actually fight happens, and when, remains to be seen but should it happen, expect a fantastic contest.
+++
This week in boxing history
In a sport where competitors do battle in the ring, one fight in boxing’s centuries of history is known as ‘The War’. On April 15th, 1985, Marvellous Marvin Hagler (to give him his full name) squared off against Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns. The fight for the Middleweight Championship of the World ended in the third round, but gave fans the most famous 7 minutes and 52 seconds in the history of the sport. Round 1, in particular, remains revered and were declared the greatest round in boxing history by Ring Magazine. The camera angle for much of the round’s final minute, where the fighters go toe-to-toe in full view of the world, is a personal highlight.

HAGLER HEARNS VID HERE