Countdown for O2 action underway

Local boxing promoter Brian Peters has followed up on the launch of the Bernard Dunne - Ricardo Cordoba WBA title fight at the O2 with the announcement that Ireland"s finest amateurs will also be in action at the new-look former Point Theatre on Saturday, 21st March. Olympic hero Kenny Egan, World and European champion Katie Taylor, Olympic medallist Paddy Barnes and World Junior champion Ray Moylette will all face international opposition on the same card. Headlining the event is the WBA World Super Bantamweight title fight as Dunne challenges for the ultimate prize against current World champion, Cordoba, while Dublin"s Jim 'The Pink Panther" Rock and hot Cavan prospect, Andy Murray will also be in action. Dunshaughlin-based Peters believes it all adds up to one of the biggest sporting events to hit Ireland in a long time. 'We have the first world title fight in Dublin in 13 years with a Dubliner getting to challenge for a world title in his hometown for the first time ever,' Peters told the Meath Chronicle. ' Then when you add some of the biggest achievers in Irish amateur boxing history like Kenny Egan, Katie Taylor, Paddy Barnes, Ray Moylette and top pros like Jim Rock and Andy Murray you have a recipe for a historic night of Irish sport,' he said. The unique event came about after Peters struck a deal with the Boxing Union of Ireland and the Irish Amateur Boxing Association so that both the professional and amateur codes can share the spotlight on the same event. 'It"s a big occasion for Irish boxing and will give our amateur boxers the kind of platform they have always wanted. We"re very happy to be working with Brian on it and hopefully it will be a big success,' stated Irish Amateur Boxing Association president Dominic O"Rourke. The president of the Boxing Union of Ireland, Mel Christle, echoed his counterparts sentiments saying. 'This brings the promotion of Irish boxing on to a whole new level. To have the cream of Ireland"s boxers both professional and amateur on the same bill is a dream come true,' suggested Christle. Peters revealed that the IABA is working on a mouthwatering clash that could see Egan fighting a rematch of his Olympic final against China"s Zhang Xiaoping. Egan says he would relish the opportunity to set the record straight with his Olympic rival at the O2. The 21st March event will be all new to unbeaten lightweight Murray with the Cavan man yet to step foot in the new O2. Rock predicts that he could be in for a rough night when he takes on Italian warrior, Alessio Furlan. Tickets for the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night are priced from €50 and are available now from Ticketmaster (0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie). Olympic bronze medallist Darren Sutherland returned home from training in the UK for a weekend break to visit his family in Navan in mid-January. Sutherland (26) will have his second professional bout at Robin Park Arena, Wigan on Friday, 6th March. Managed by Frank Maloney, Sutherland last week set off for training camp in Portugal in preparation for the bout. The Wigan card will be topped by Salford southpaw Jamie Moore, who challenges Italy"s former world champion Michele Piccirillo for the vacant European Light Middleweight title. Sutherland stopped Georgi Iliev on his debut in Dublin in December.