Boxing In Ireland: Fitzgerald vs. Healy For Super Middle Title In Dublin

Dublin’s Anthony Fitzgerald is adamant that despite a late change of opponent he’ll still be wrapping the Irish Super Middleweight title belt around his waist on Saturday night. Fitzgerald will now face former Irish Champ Ciaran Healy in one of 4 Irish title fights on this Saturday’s Yanjing Fight Night at The National Stadium in Dublin.

The long anticipated Irish Lightweight title fight between unbeaten Cavan star Andy Murray and Dublin’s Oisin “Gael Force” Fagan tops the bill but Fitzgerald believes that his clash with Healy will also have plenty of fireworks. Fitzgerald had been due to meet Lee Murtagh but the Leeds based Irishman withdrew from the bout for the second time in just over 2 months citing an injury and Healy didn’t need to be asked twice to replace him.

“Ciaran’s tough, strong and very experienced and he always comes to have a fight but that will suit me because I won’t have to go looking for him,” said Fitzgerald.

“I was disappointed to hear that Murtagh had pulled out again but I wasn’t really surprised. We were supposed to fight in December on the Matthew Macklin bill and when he pulled out then I gave him the benefit of the doubt. Looking at it now though I think he knew what he was in for and he just didn’t fancy the job but I know that Ciaran is the kind of guy that will get in there and have a scrap with anyone.“

Fitzgerald’s thoughts are backed up by Healy’s record which includes names such as Andy Lee, former European Champ Jamie Moore, Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale and reigning British super Middleweight Champion Paul Smith. The Belfast battler also holds a fifth round KO win over Murtagh in a fight that saw him win the Irish Light Middleweight title at the Kings Hall in 2007.

For Fitzgerald the late change of opponent means having to adjust from preparing for a southpaw to Healy who fights from an orthodox stance but the Inner City Dubliner says that won’t be a problem.“It just means changing tactics a bit but I’ve trained hard for this and I’m very confident. That title will be coming back to Sean McDermott street with me on Saturday night.”

Murtagh has apologised for his withdrawal telling Irish-Boxing.com that he is now contemplating retirement. “I was sparring on the previous Saturday and I went to throw a punch and the top half of my body turned, but the lower half didn’t and I ended up going over on my knee,” said Murtagh.

“There was heavy swelling and it turned out I’d torn the cartilage which caused internal bleeding. I went to the hospital and got an X-ray but the injury couldn’t be drained. I’m totally off my feet at the moment and ironically it’s the left leg, whereas last time I injured my right. I had taken two weeks in Tenerife to get away from the snow in Leeds and I felt great, was under the stipulated weight limit and am totally gutted about letting people down,” Murtagh lamented.

“I would love to come back, but I have a gym to run and if my knees are not working anymore, what else can I do but retire?”

The other two Irish title fights on the card will see Galway’s Coleman Barrett contesting the vacant Irish heavyweight title with Dublin’s Colin Kenna while Tallaght’s undefeated Patrick Hyland will make the first defence of his Irish Featherweight title against Mickey Coveney.

Three other non title fights on the bill will see Cuban KO sensation Alexei Acosta, featherweight prospect Willie Casey and new Belfast pro Jamie Conlan looking to extend their unbeaten records.

Tickets for the Yanjing Fight Night priced €30, €40, €50 and €60 are available from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie) and all usual outlets.