Billy Walsh and Stephen Haughian will finally get it on for the Irish Welterweight title at the Craigavon Leisure Centre on February 7. Haughian has been eyeing a crack at the undefeated Corkman’s title ever since Walsh won it 12 months ago and now he’s got his wish.

“To be fighting so close to home is a dream come true and to fight for the Irish title is the icing on the cake,” said the Lurgan man. Haughian’s only up close and personal look at Walsh came when he appeared on the Leesider’s undercard in Cork two years ago and he says he saw enough night to know he can win.

“He’s the kind of guy that just comes out swinging,” said Haughian. “He doesn’t take a backward step so it should be a good fight. He’s a decent right hand and a good left hook and I’m sure he’ll start fast but I’m confident and my preparations couldn’t have gone any better so I’ll be ready for whatever he brings.”

Walsh is also quietly confident ahead of the first defence of his title and former two weight World Champ Vinny Pazienza has already made it known that he’s a fan of the Cork man.

Pazienza, who was known as the “Pazmanian Devil” during his fighting days, is familiar with Walsh from his time in the US. The Rhode Island native enjoyed a glorious career that included an amazing comeback from a broken neck suffered in a car accident.

Since retiring in 2004, Pazienza has concentrated on TV work and he likes what he’s seen of Walsh. “I like Billy, he's just a naturally tough guy who comes out banging. He's got some boxing skills but he's a tough SOB to go with it.

“He looks really good, has tons of ability and has a lot of amateur experience too. He’s known as ‘Billy Boy’ but I think they should change his nickname to ‘Hammerin’ Billy Walsh because he throws tons of punches and is heavy handed.”

One welterweight who won’t be on the card is Neil Sinclair. The Belfast puncher has suffered a recurrence of a niggling back injury that also caused him some problems last year and has been forced to withdraw from the Craigavon card.

Two weight Irish champ, Andy Murray from Cavan, heads the undercard as he looks to stretch his unbeaten professional run to 14 straight fights

Belfast’s Kevin “Sweet Pea” O’Hara is also in action along with unbeaten light welterweight Michael Kelly and popular Omagh prospect, Damian Taggart.

Tickets priced £30, £40 and £60 are available from Best Rate Bureau on 02830252595.

Share/Save | (0) comments | Add your comments
Click to read more boxing articles by Boxing Press

Discuss in Boxing Forum

---

Related Boxing Articles...

• Brian Peters Boxing: Irish Champ Haughian On London Scouting Mission

  Newly crowned Irish Welterweight champ Stephen Haughian takes to the ring at the York Hall in London this weekend on the undercard to the Commonwealth title clash between Craig Watson >
  
  

• Brian Peters Boxing: Homecoming For Haughian

  Stephen Haughian believes he’s ready to start chasing down major titles in 2009. The County Armagh boxer will look to take his career to the next level when he headlines >
  
  

• Brian Peters Boxing: Knockout Trio Set For Ladbrokes Fight Night

  The undercard for this Saturday’s Ladbrokes Fight Night features a trio of fighters who have the knockout looks to go with their knockout punches. Up and coming prospects Stephen Haughian, >
  
  

• Tickets Available Online For Kell Brook vs. Young Mutley

  Tickets are now available for Kell Brook's bid to win a Lonsdale belt outright against Young Mutley on May 22. The British welterweight title fight - Brook's third defence >
  
  

• Irish Boxing: Duddy, Macklin And Hatton Tonight In Dublin

  Brian Peters puts on a superb bill tonight at National Stadium in Dublin with two middleweights possibly heading for a massive showdown leading the way. Continuing his triumphant return home >
  
  

• Boxing Weights: Bernard Dunne vs. Poonsawt Kratingdaenggym

  Brian Peters promotes a fight card tonight at The O2 in Dublin, Ireland, headlined by Bernard Dunne’s first defence of his WBA Super Bantamweight title against mandatory challenger Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym >
  
  

• Boxing Weights And Quotes: Bernard Dunne vs. Cristian Faccio

  Click for larger image © Brian Peters Promotions Brian Peters promotes a big show tonight at the International >
  
  

• Boxing Preview: Barker vs McKay For Commonwealth Title Tonight

  Hennessy Sports puts on a "do" tonight at the International Centre in Brentwood, England tonight and a Commonwealth Middleweight title scrap between reigning champion Darren Barker and challenger Jason McKay >
  
  

• Boxing Tickets: Scott Harrison - Joan Guzman in Belfast

  Tickets are now available for the World Championship Boxing event at Belfast's Kings Hall on Saturday 20th May. WBO World Featherweight Champion Scott Harrison headlines the show in an explosive >
  
  

• Boxing In Ireland: Dunne vs. Faccio Weigh-In Open To Public In Castelbar

  The weigh in for this Saturday's Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar takes place at Shaws Department Store at the Harlequin Centre in Castlebar this Friday >
  
  

---

Boxing News Tags: Billy Walsh, Brian Peters, Martin Rogan, Paul McCloskey, Stephen Haughian