Watson, Amar Set For Commonwealth Boxing Clash In Dublin

In one of the most anticipated welterweight contests on the European boxing scene, Craig Watson and Adnan Amar are set to clash on a massive fight card, held on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at The Helix, located on the campus of Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland.

The pair collide as chief support to Rendall Munroe’s European super bantamweight title defense against granite-jawed Italian champion Fabrizio Trotta.

Watson, 13-2 (4), puts his Commonwealth title at risk against top challenger Adnan Amar, 22-1 (6), but much more is at stake in this crucial crossroads battle for both men.

25 year old Amar has been moving through the ranks since turning pro in 2001 but kicked his career into overdrive over the past year, winning four bouts and capturing the English and Midlands Area welterweight titles.

The Nottingham stylist has been most impressive during that streak, gaining three of the six knockouts on his record including a third round stoppage of Canadian middleweight Ian Mackillop.

But Amar will be stepping up to a higher level of competition when he faces Craig Watson, the steel-tough Manchester battler who punched his way into the headlines as an amateur by flooring celebrated rival Amir Khan.

Watson, also 25 years of age, has been thrown into the deep end on more than once occasion since joining the paid ranks just over three and a half years ago but the experience has helped the southpaw develop a bruising, take no prisoners approach that has proven difficult to overcome.

A win over previously undefeated prospect Michael Lomax in July, 2007 was a breakthrough for Watson but it was his shattering upset of heavily favored Ali Nuumbembe a year ago that brought the Mancunian the coveted Commonwealth crown.

After failing in a bid for the European Union belt against highly skilled Italian Daniele Pettruci in Rome, Watson got back on the horse in May with a superb performance against Matthew Hatton to retain the Commonwealth title for the first time

The Commonwealth prize will be up for grabs when the bell rings in Dublin on December 18, but Watson and Amar will also be vying to move up the Continental ladder as the winner will be within striking distance of a top ten post in the European ratings.

Spirits are running high between the two opposing camps and each fighter will carry into the conflict the hopes and dreams of their dedicated followings, ensuring a matchup to remember and a worthy chief support contest to the main event.

Frank Maloney Promotions presents “Out To Conquer The World” headlined by the debut of Irish Olympic Bronze Medallist Darren Sutherland and European Super Bantamweight Champion Rendall Munroe’s title defense against Italian Champion Fabricio Trotta along with full undercard support, on Thursday, December 18, 2008 at The Helix in Dublin, Ireland.

Tickets, priced at €50, €60 and €100, are available by logging onto www.frankmaloney.com or by calling the Box Office on 0871 226 1508.

Sky Sports will televise the action live on SS1 starting at 8PM.