Breen: McCloskey Has Never Looked Better

Breen (L) is adamant that he has never seen McCloskey in better physical shape ahead of the fight tonight.

John Breen has said that he has never seen Paul McCloskey looking as good in training and he is confident of victory on Saturday.

McCloskey takes on former WBO light welterweight champion DeMarcus Corley at the King’s Hall tomorrow and Breen says he is as sharp as ever.

Trainer Breen said:

“I’ve never seen Paul looking better than this, honestly. In the gym this is the best I’ve ever seen him; I have no worries at all about tomorrow night.

“Unfortunately we couldn’t get the five or six weeks sparring that he would normally have, in fact we’ve only been able to manage three weeks.

“But I wouldn’t be worried, he has been in terrific form, absolutely brilliant and he can’t wait to get in there against Corley.”

The fight against the former WBO champion will be a tricky assignment for “Dudey” but he hopes that a win can propel him back into the spotlight.

Corley (R) could prove to be a tougher assignment than most people think.

Corley has fought against some great boxers, including the two major stars that go head to head later on Saturday night, Miguel Cotto and Floyd Mayweather Jr, but McCloskey will not fear “Chop Chop”.

The American has won one of his last seven fights and the consensus is that the 37 year old’s best days are probably behind him.

McCloskey will be all too aware not to under-estimate “Chop Chop” but he will also have no fears when he takes to the ring in search of getting his hat back into the world-title challenging ring.

Dudey has, as John Breen stated, trained as hard for this fight as he has ever done, and when the bell rings tomorrow night the 32 year old will want to make sure nothing is left to chance.

Related articles

• McCloskey v Corley/ Betfair Prizefighter – Irish Middleweights/Lindsay v Coveney Weigh In Thoughts (theirishmansport.wordpress.com)
• Boxing: DeMarcus gets the Corley never expected; disappointing for McCloskey (boxingwriter.co.uk)
• Eddie Hearn: Realise Prizefighter For The Opportunity That It Is (theirishmansport.wordpress.com)

McCloskey v Corley/ Betfair Prizefighter – Irish Middleweights/Lindsay v Coveney Weigh In Thoughts

MAIN EVENT – McCloskey v Corley

McCloskey (L) is in for a tough night at the King’s Hall against the seasoned Corley (R).

 

Paul McCloskey – McCloskey weighed in at 10 stone 1 pound and had the backing of a vociferous conference room at the King’s Hall venue. Dudey looked in his usual lean, athletic shape and was in a focused mood.

DeMarcus Corley – The American challenger weighed in at 9 stone 12 pound 2 oz and looked like the seasoned professional that he is. Corley was smiling for the cameras and was enjoying his Irish occasion.

 

 

Lindsay and Coveney start off the huge night of boxing in Belfast.

OPENING FIGHT – Lindsay v Coveney

Michael Coveney – Londoner Coveney weighed in at 9 stone 4 pound 6 oz and the 28 year old was given a warm round of applause as he took to the scales.

Martin Lindsay – Magic man Lindsay weighed in at 9 stone 5 pound 2 oz and was too greeted with plenty of cheers on his return home. Lindsay looked in tip-top shape on the scales and he will hope to give Coveney a night to forget.

ALL IRELAND PRIZEFIGHTERS

Quarter final one – O’Kane v Fitzgerald

Eamonn O’Kane – King Kane weighed in at 11 stone 6 pounds 12 oz., looking in impressive shape on the scales wearing his innovative Betfair boxers. O’Kane seems to be coping with the favourite tag well and looked today like the man to beat

Anthony Fitzgerald – Fitzer weighed in at 11 stone 7 pounds 4 oz. and looked in professional mood for his tough assignment but he found the time to shake hands with his opponent, a great sign of the sport.

Quarter final two – Healy v Greene

Ciaran Healy – Healy weighed in at 10 stone 7 pound 6 oz. and was in buoyant form posing for the cameras whilst also shaking hands with his opponent. Healy looked delighted to have the opportunity.

Ryan Greene – Greene weighed in at 11 stone 4 pound 10 oz., enjoying the occasion, looking fit and was cheered on with arguably the loudest cheers of the day. Could Greene’s vociferous support be vital tomorrow night?

Quarter final three – Cruise v McDonagh

Darren Cruise – Cruise made the weight at 11 stone 6 pounds 8 oz. with the Roscommon native looking content and focused on the job at hand.

JJ McDonagh – McDonagh tipped the scales at 11 stone 6 pounds 12 oz. and looked in fine fettle. The rangy Mullingar fighter was quiet but imposing in his demeanour and is second favourite with some bookmakers.

All eight Prizefighters will feel they have a realistic chance of victory tomorrow night.

Quarter final four – O’Donnell v Rea

Simon O’Donnell – O’Donnell came in at 11 stone 6 pounds 14 oz. and the tall boxer looked assured and athletic. O’Donnell was in prime condition and being something of an unknown could work to his advantage, as well as his reach with the 26 year old being huge for the division.

Joe Rea – Sugar Rea weighed in at 11 stone 7 pounds 10 oz. and it became clear to see why Eddie Hearn reserved special praise for the Ballymena man yesterday. Rea’s torso was in the finest shape of any of the fighters on the bill and it is clear just how serious he is taking the opportunity.

 

Related articles

• Boxing: DeMarcus gets the Corley never expected; disappointing for McCloskey (boxingwriter.co.uk)
• Paul McCloskey vs. Julio Diaz on May 5 – Boxing News (blogs.bettor.com)
• Diaz contest for McCloskey in May (bbc.co.uk)