Boxing In Ireland: Murray, Rock, Dunne Victorious In Dublin

Brian Peters Promotions put on a big show last night at the National Stadium in Dublin, Ireland and the big three of Andrew Murray, Jim Rock and Bernard Dunne all won their contests on a bill that also saw Darren Corbett and Oisin Fagan enter the winner’s circle as well.

Murray, 13-0 (6), already the Irish Light Welter titlist, dropped down to true lightweight for the first time in his career and faced Peter McDonagh, 11-13 (2), a London based Galway man long on useful experience despite the humble won – loss record.

McDonagh had won the Irish title over two years ago in a notorious contest when opponent Michael Gomez simply stopped fighting in the fifth round and was coming off a competitive performance in Italy this past February against European Union Light Welter Champ Giuseppe Lauri before bowing out with an injury in the sixth.

But none of that counted last night at National Stadium as Murray used his edge in youth and quickness to rattle off sharp punch sequence and win most of the rounds.

McDonagh’s heavier approach saw him land punishing single shots but the 30 year old couldn’t keep pace with the 25 year old Murray, who cruised to a 100-94 points win after ten rounds on referee Emile Tiedt’s scorecard, adding the Irish Lightweight title to his collection.

No one on the bill has a bigger Irish title trophy cabinet than local legend Jim Rock, 29-4 (11), who added the domestic light heavyweight crown to his holdings by knocking out Burton-on-Trent based Jonjo Finnegan, 11-4-3 (0), in the seventh round.

Rock was in command of the bout from the start, until Finnegan made his move in the middle rounds when the 36 year old “Pink Panther” began to slow down. But the experienced Rock made the visitor pay for opening up on offense with a crippling right hand that hurt Finnegan and the 28 year old Englishman did not survive Rock’s followup assault, getting counted out on the canvas at 2:15 of the seventh frame.

Rock becomes the first boxer to win Irish titles in four weight classes, having previously secured the light middle, middle and super middle belts.

Former European Super Bantam Champ Bernard Dunne, 26-1 (14), continued his comeback and campaign to win back his former title by imposing a wide points margin over Argentine visitor Damian David Machiano, 15-5-1 (5), at super bantam.

Dunne used his superior footwork to stay away from the trench warfare favored by his opponent and jabbed and potshotted his way to victory over ten cautious rounds, 100-94.

Having now strung together two wins since the shocking European title loss to Spain’s Kiko Martinez almost a year ago, the Neilstown native is targeting current European Super Bantam kingpin Rendall Munroe in hopes for a showdown later this year.

36 year old ex-Irish/Commonwealth Cruiserweight titlist Darren Corbett, 27-4-1 (16), of Belfast returned to the ring after a four year hiatus and outpointed granite-jawed Lithuanian journeyman Remigijus Ziausys, 6-14 (4), over six rounds.

American based Dublin man Oisin Fagan, 22-5 (13), celebrated his fourth appearance in an Irish ring by winning a points decision over Latvian novice Konstantin Sakara, 1-3-1 (1), at light welter.