By Allan Donnellan April 16th, 2008 All Ringside Boxing
As one of the appetisers on last weekend’s delicious menu of title fights, a fine domestic card was presented by Brian Peter’s promotions in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, deep in the West of Ireland. With a fine selection of local fighters on show and a host of international opposition, the arena filled early and a warm atmosphere sparked in anticipation of the evening’s event.
The Breaffy House International Sports Hotel and Resort played host to the festivities. It was an appropriate venue, often employed by Ireland’s best athletes as part of their mental preparation for high level competition, the bill’s headliner Bernard Dunne was in need of some psychological repair following the assassination of his reputation, public persona and ego last year, at the hands of the malicious Spaniard Kiko Martinez.
In his return to the ring, Dunne was opposed by Felix Machado, a former super flyweight title holder and a highly experienced campaigner. Super bantamweight Bernard Dunne had once again captured the attention of the Irish public and was coming to the West of Ireland to attempt to prove a point.
Brian Peters was visible by the ring prior to the events initiation, chatting to the patrons and surveying the arena for any potential details which needed attention. However, the beautifully prepared arena needed little more organisation.
The fighters in turn were preparing with an equal level of concentration, Adnan Amar readied himself in the dressing rooms with his trainer Brendan Ingle, Michael Sweeney smiled and chatted with his training team, Artus Jashkul nodded his head in time with the music pumping through his headphones and later Bernard Dunne paced between the dressing rooms and the arena‘s entrance. Other fighters meandered through the meticulously organised rows of chairs, many in an almost meditative state, mentally preparing to enter into hostilities later in the evening. More...
