Boxing In Ireland: Cork Cuban Acosta Faces Former World Champ Machado

Cuban KO sensation Alexei Acosta faces a major step up in class this Saturday when he takes on former World Champion Felix Machado in a unique Latin American duel on the Yanjing Fight Night at the National Stadium in Dublin.

Machado will be a name familiar to Irish fight fans having faced Bernard Dunne in 2008 in the Dubliner’s first bout after his defeat to Kiko Martinez. On that occasion the Venezuelan southpaw lost on points over 10 rounds to Dunne but he will be hoping for greater success this weekend against the Cork City based Acosta who has so far KO’d all 9 of his professional opponents.

Machado stepped into the breach earlier this week when Acosta’s original opponent, England’s Gavin Reid was forced to withdraw through illness and the Cuba versus Venezuela matchup brings an international flavour to what’s already a huge night for domestic boxing in Ireland with a record breaking 4 Irish titles up for grabs on the card.

Machado a former IBF Super Flyweight Champ and veteran of 7 World title fights believes he will have too much know how and experience for Acosta, a World Junior Champion from the amateurs who will celebrate his 22nd birthday on Saturday.

“I know all about Cuba’s reputation for producing World class boxers but that is in the amateur ranks,” said Machado. “Venezuela has an excellent reputation for producing World class fighter’s in the professional ranks and I hope to show the difference between the two nations on Saturday.

“I really enjoyed my time in Ireland when I went there to fight Bernard Dunne but I didn’t leave with the victory, hopefully I can change that this time around.”

Promoter Brian Peters believes that the bout will prove to be a hidden gem on Saturday’s undercard. “It’s not too often you get to see a World Champion from the amateurs and a former World Champion from the pro’s going head to head in an undercard bout,” said Peters.

“It’s ironic that if both these men were in their own countries they would only be separated by a stretch of the Caribbean but now they will both be fighting almost 5,000 miles from home’ although in Acosta’s case I know he has certainly made Cork home in terms of his professional boxing career.

“It’s going to be an intriguing contest, Acosta has looked sensational in his career so far and has demolished everyone put in front of him but we saw that Machado is a class act when he came to Ireland to fight Bernard so it’s a fascinating fight and you have to give credit to Acosta for taking such a step up at this stage in his career.”

The card is headlined by a domestic dispute far closer to home with Cavan’s unbeaten Andy Murray looking to extend his perfect record against Dublin’s Oisin “Gael Force” Fagan in an Irish Lightweight title decider.

The other three 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. The vacant Irish Super Middleweight title will also be at stake with Dublin’s Anthony Fitzgerald looking to stop Belfast’s Ciaran Healy from becoming a two weight Irish Champ.

Two other fights on the seven fight card will see Limerick 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.