Argentina proved during last years Rugby world cup that they are not a team to be underestimated and on February 2nd in Limerick it will be Alejandro Gustavo Falliga’s turn to display the famous Argentinean fighting sprit.
The 25-year-old from Buenos Aries faces the daunting task of squaring off with Andy Lee when they clash in the main event in the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night at the University Sports Arena in Lee’s native Limerick.
Lee is currently preparing for the fight in Florida where he is sparring with current heavyweight champ Wladimir Klitschko. Unbeaten in his 14 pro fights to date the Limerick hero is expecting to return home to a rousing reception in what will be the first ever professional boxing event in Limerick.
Falliga though insists he can spoil the party and inflict the first defeat on Lee’s perfect record. Speaking from his own training camp in Argentina he said, “I know all about Lee and his reputation. When I saw he was scheduled to fight in December I asked my manager to get me a fight with him because I want to test myself against the best. On that occasion it did not happen but thankfully my chance is here now and it’s a big opportunity for me.”
Falliga has suffered 3 defeats in his 19 pro bouts since turning pro in 2004 but has never been stopped and he’s confident that his defeats have made him a better fighter.
“I’m still a young guy and you learn from your defeats. My last defeat was in December on a split decision. I was very upset at that one because I knocked my opponent down twice and I still didn’t get the decision.”
That setback came against his fellow countryman, the undefeated and world ranked Luciano Leonel Cuello and most ringside observers felt Falliga had every right to be aggrieved at the judge’s scorecards.
However has no complaints about his only previous trip to Europe, a 12 rounds points defeat against the Germany’s undefeated middleweight star Sebastian Zbik in a WBO Intercontinental title fight last year.
“You learn from these fights and it was a great experience. I think that will help me greatly for this fight and I’m confident that I can surprise a few people. Of course I know all about Lee’s record and reputation and it’s all very impressive but when the bell goes it just comes down to two guys in the ring so we will see what happens.”
Also featuring on the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night are Paul McCloskey and Matthew Macklin.
The exciting duo will be looking to push their claims for European title fights in 2008 but both have hurdles to overcome in Limerick first.
Macklin is another of the Irish middleweights surging up the world ratings and he will look to get his year off to a winning start against Christophe Karagoz. The French hardman has gone the distance with World Champions in the shape of Cristian Sanavia and Gianfranco Rosi as well as completing all 10 rounds with former European Champion Amin Askiainen last October.
Macklin though is confident that this will be the start of a very important year in his career. “People have always talked about me having potential but this is the year that I have to realise that potential and start winning titles.”
Macklin has left leading trainer Billy Graham, who also trains Ricky Hatton and in an ironic move plans to train Stateside with Floyd Mayweather Snr. "I felt my career needed a new direction,” revealed Macklin.
“I learned so much from Billy and I’m very grateful for the time I spent there but I felt in a way that I was in Ricky’s shadow a little bit. That was fine at the start because it was all part of the learning curve. But I felt that I wanted more than physical aggression. As an amateur I used to box a lot more and that side of my skills has not moved on as I would have liked in the pros so linking up with Floyd Mayweather Snr. should certainly help on that side of things.”
Paul McCloskey’s opponent will be confirmed next week with both McCloskey and Macklin featuring in 10 round contests.
The Limerick card also features Irish Light Heavyweight champ Jason McKay and Irish Light Middleweight champ Ciaran Healy while unbeaten Mayo prospect Michael Sweeney is also set for action.
A number of extra tickets have been made available for the event. These go on sale from Ticketmaster and all usual Ticketmaster outlets from 9am this Friday (January 18th).
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