Boxing In Ireland: Morrison Vows To Defeat McCloskey

Scotland’s Barry Morrison is bristling at the suggestion that he is a stepping stone to a World title for reigning European Light Welterweight Champ, Paul McCloskey.

Morrison challenges for McCloskey’s title this Saturday as European Championship boxing comes to Co. Donegal for the first time ever on the Hunky Dorys Fight Night at The Aura in Letterkenny.

The bout will be the undefeated McCloskey’s second defence of his continental crown and while the Dungiven southpaw clearly has World title ambitions Morrison believes that those dreams will go up in smoke after Saturday night.

“The pressure is all on McCloskey this weekend,” said Morrison. “He sees me as a stepping stone to a world title fight and he is in front of his own fans. At the press conference to announce the fight last month he kept being questioned about when he was going to get his world title fight. I was just sitting there and they overlooked me. It’s not a good thing for him to overlook me but I hope he will.”

Indeed the former British Champion believes that he will be the one angling for a World title after Saturday night and he doesn’t have too far to look for inspiration having sparred fellow Scot and recently crowned WBO Super Featherweight Champ, Ricky Burns.

“This is a huge opportunity for me with the possibility of a world title fight if I win,” said Morrison. “I sparred with Ricky at the start of my camp for this fight and it was at the end of his camp for the World title fight with Roman Martinez and I know that I am not far behind.

“He’s an inspiration and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. I’ve always worked hard but I’ve had a lot of bad luck in the last few years with illnesses and I just want to crack on. I don’t feel I have fulfilled my potential. Knowing this is my last chance at this level is an extra incentive.”

Morrison’s manager Tommy Gilmour turned up the heat further on McCloskey by accusing the defending champion of being lazy. “McCloskey can sometimes be a lazy fighter and if that’s the Paul McCloskey that turns up, and we get the Barry Morrison who destroyed Billy Smith in his last fight, we will certainly come home with the title,” said Gilmour. “But the dice has to fall for us on the night.”

The Hunky Dorys Fight Night is live on RTÉ TWO’s Pro Box Live from 9:30pm on Saturday with the first live fight of the evening featuring unbeaten Cavan star Andy Murray as he bids to make it 22 straights wins in the pro ranks against Dominican Republic dangerman Johnny Nolasco.

Cork based Cuban duo Alexei “The Hurricane” Acosta and Luis “El Leon” Garcia are also in action as they take on Uruguayan’s Cristian Faccio and Jorge Rodriguez Olivera respectively.

Two current Irish Champions also feature with undefeated Featherweight Patrick Hyland and reigning Heavyweight Champ Coleman Barrett taking to the ring while the 9 fight card will also include Mayo’s unbeaten Super Featherweight Finbarr Eade, Dublin prospect Brendan Fitzpatrick and the professional debut of Donegal’s own Michael McLaughlin.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night priced from €40 are available from Ticketmaster.ie / 0818 719300, The Aura, Letterkenny: 074 9106422, The Radisson Blu, Letterkenny: 074 9194444, Eurospar, Dungiven: 028 77741245 or Julie, Dungiven: 07745 698372.