Boxing In Ireland: Unlucky Break For Andy Murray

A broken collarbone has cruelly denied unbeaten Cavan star Andy Murray a chance to shine on the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night at The O2 this Saturday.

The reigning European Union Lightweight champ had been set to defend his title in the chief supporting bout to Bernard Dunne’s first defence of his WBA World Super Bantamweight title.

Dunne will look to see off the challenge of number one contender Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym from Thailand while Murray had been all set to defend his title against Italian Pasquale Di Silvio.

However a broken collarbone has consigned a frustrated Murray to the sidelines for the next six weeks as he waits for the bone to heal.

“I’m gutted as it would have been a huge opportunity for me,” said the 27-year-old who has won all 16 of his pro fights to date. “Training had been going really well and as luck would have it the break happened in my last sparring session for the fight.

“I had hurt it a few days earlier but you always have aches and pains in training and you shrug them off. In the back of my mind I was a little bit worried about it but then during my last sparring session I actually heard the snap and I knew straight away it was broken.

“It’s quite painful at the moment but the doctors said that if it heals right I should be ready to start training again in six weeks so hopefully I won’t be out too long.”

Promoter Brian Peters believes it will only be a matter of time before Murray is back in title action. “It’s bitterly disappointing for Andy to miss out on Saturday because it would have been a big stage for him to show people what he’s capable of. I’m sure it won’t be too long before we see him back in the ring.

“He’s a tremendous talent and I believe he’s Irish boxing’s next big star. He’s already European Union Champ and I see no reason why he can’t get his hands on the full European title next year and push on from there.”

Bernard Dunne headlines the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night at the O2 on Saturday, September 26th with 6 foot 9 inch unbeaten heavyweight Tyson Fury featuring on the undercard in a special attraction.

An intriguing All-Irish affair will see undefeated duo Jamie Power (Limerick) and Michael Sweeney (Mayo) put their unbeaten records on the line against each other over 8 rounds at Light Heavyweight.

Reigning Irish Welterweight champion, Stephen Haughian will also feature as he takes on Estonia’s Albert Starikov while three Dublin favourites also take to the ring with current Irish and IBF International Featherweight champ Patrick Hyland, former Irish Lightweight champ Oisin Fagan and exciting Middleweight Anthony Fitzgerald featuring in separate bouts.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night are priced from €50 and are available from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie). Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.