Hunky Dorys Fight Night: Dunne set for battle on Western front‏

Hunky Dorys Fight Night: Dunne set for battle on Western front

Bernard Dunne is itching to get his hands on former World Champion Felix Machado. The Dubliner’s clash with Machado headlines this Saturday’s Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the Breaffy House Resort in Castlebar, Co. Mayo and Dunne will be out to put last August’s defeat to Kiko Martinez well and truly behind him.

“I’m in great form and my training camp has gone really well,” said Dunne. “I’m just very excited about the fight and looking forward to putting on a good performance.” Dunne however has been handed a tough task as he bids to return to winning ways against “El Macho” Machado. The 35-year-old Venezuelan was IBF Super Flyweight Champion from 2000 – 2003 and has a wealth of world title experience having campaigned in no less than 8 world title fights at both super flyweight and bantamweight.

Machado was promoted throughout that time by Don King and scored notable scalps over fellow world champions such as Martin Castillo, Mauricio Pastrana and Julio Gamboa during his 3 year title reign. Having fought in the U.S., Thailand, Panama, Argentina, Nicaragua and his native Venezuela coming to Ireland is unlikely to concern the laid back Machado.

Dunne is looking forward to pitting his skills against an opponent of the quality of Machado. “He’s a serious operator and a class act, you don’t win world titles unless you’re a very good fighter. I’ve seen a few of his fights and he’s a tall, rangy southpaw but I’ve fought southpaws before so that shouldn’t be a problem.”

Reflecting back on the loss of his European title to Martinez last August Dunne said, “I was disappointed for myself and disappointed for the fans. People pay good money to see a fight and they didn’t get much action that night but hopefully I can make it up this weekend.

Saturday’s Hunky Dorys Fight night at the Breaffy House Resort in Castlebar will give Mayo fight fans a chance to sample the excitement of professional boxing and in particular the atmosphere of a Bernard Dunne fight.

“Brian has had the idea of bringing the show on the road for quite a while now,” said Dunne. “It’s something new so hopefully the atmosphere that the fights used to generate at the Stadium and The Point will travel to Mayo.”

Another international 10 rounder on the card will feature Andrew Murray. The undefeated Cavan man has racked up 11 straight wins in the pro ranks and is also the reigning Irish Light Welterweight champion. He's been busy of late racking up two stoppage wins in the last 3 weeks and he'll aim to take a step up in class this weekend.

There will be plenty of local interest on the card to with Castlebar’s very own Keith Cresham making his pro debut and Ballinrobe’s Michael Sweeney looking to extend his unbeaten record. London based Galway native John O’Donnell also features.

Also in action is undefeated unbeaten Cuban heavyweight and former World Junior Amateur champion Mike “El Rebellio” Perez. Also making his debut on the card is hard hitting Limerick man Jamie Power while Polish fight fans are also catered for with Grzegorz Proksa in action against Venezuelan dangerman Jairo Alvarez.

Proksa is considered to be the best prospect to emerge from Poland in decades and has already racked up 13 straight wins.

The Hunky Dorys Fight Night will be broadcast live from the Breaffy House Resort on RTÉ TWO this Saturday night with coverage starting from 9pm.

Hunky Dorys Fight Night – Bazan predicts McCloskey’s downfall

Hunky Dorys Fight Night – Bazan predicts McCloskey’s downfall



Former World Champion Cesar Bazan arrived in Letterkenny this week promising to wreck Paul McCloskey’s unbeaten record. The two men meet in the top of the bill on this Saturday’s Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the Letterkenny Leisure Complex and Bazan is brimming with confidence ahead of the clash.

The Mexican arrived in Letterkenny on Sunday to acclimatise after a gruelling 6 week training camp in the mountains near his native Mexico City.

“Everything has been great since I arrived in Ireland, the people have been very nice and it is a beautiful country. I have trained long and hard for this fight and I am in great shape. I had 4 fights in France earlier in my career so fighting and winning in Europe is nothing new to me.”

Bazan admits to knowing little about McCloskey or caring for his ever-growing reputation as one of the light welterweight division’s hottest prospects. “I never heard of Paul McCloskey until I was asked to fight him and I don’t think I’ll be hearing any more about him after this weekend either. I am only concerned with myself and my preparations.”

Now 33 Bazan captured the WBC Lightweight title in 1998 by beating Stevie Johnson. He made 2 successful defences before losing to Johnson in a rematch on a split decision but Bazan believes he’s still capable of recapturing his world title winning form.

His current record stands at 46 wins and 9 defeats but he disputes all but 2 of those losses. “Except for my losses to Miguel Cotto and Jose Luis Castillo all my losses have been controversial. Just look at my record and see how many split decisions have gone against me and in the other guys hometown. What does that tell you?

“I just hope I get a fair deal in Ireland but I don’t think there will be any doubt about the winner of this fight. I know I have the power to knock out McCloskey. I wish Paul McCloskey well in his career but he is not in my league. I have fought the best and beaten the best, McCloskey hasn’t beaten anyone so far.”

McCloskey insists that he’s undaunted by Bazan’s reputation. “His record is certainly impressive,” admitted the Dungiven southpaw. “He’s a puncher and has twice as many KO’s as I’ve had fights so you have to respect that. He’s also very durable and has only been stopped by big names like Miguel Cotto and Jose Luis Castillo. But having said all that I’ve been ready for fights like this for some time now so I’m looking to go in there and do an impressive job on this guy.”

The undercard will feature former World title challenger and British Champion Neil Sinclair. The power punching Belfast man is desperate to get back in to title contention but first he will need to get past durable Spaniard Juan Martinez Bas in Letterkenny.

Also on the undercard are a pair of reigning Irish Champions, Light Welterweight title holder, Andrew Murray and Light Middleweight kingpin Ciaran Healy. Murray has stepped in for the injured Stephen Haughian in what will be a quick return to action following a stoppage win on the Macklin – Campas undercard in Dublin last weekend.

Healy will be out for revenge in his 8 round contest with Pavel Lotah. The Latvian outpointed him over 6 rounds in Limerick last month so Healy will be looking to even the score in Letterkenny.

Also on the bill is undefeated Omagh prospect Damian Taggart and new pro Luke Wilton who will be making his first start in the paid ranks.

Cuban heavyweight Mike Perez has also been forced off the card with an injury suffered in last weekend's win at the National Stadium.

Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night priced from €60 are on sale from Ticketmaster.ie and all usual outlets.