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

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• Paul McCloskey vs. Julio Diaz on May 5 – Boxing News (blogs.bettor.com)
• Diaz contest for McCloskey in May (bbc.co.uk)

Eddie Hearn: Realise Prizefighter For The Opportunity That It Is

Hearn was in great mood ahead of the Betfair Prizefighter – Irish Middleweights card.

Eddie Hearn took to the stage in the Europa Hotel yesterday to tell anyone who wanted to listen that this will be the best Prizefighter yet.

Hearn’s Prizefighters include Eamonn O’Kane, JJ McDonagh, Ciaran Healy, Joe Rea, Anthony Fitzgerald, Ryan Greene, Darren Cruise and Simon O’Donnell and all eight look to be realistic chances to take the trophy.

The charismatic Londoner was taking the press conference for Matchroom’s huge McCloskey versus Corley and Irish Prizefighter show on Saturday evening and he was bursting with enthusiasm from the off.

“We looked at the fights that have graced Ireland before, such as McGuigan Taylor for example and that’s what we want to do; we want to bring the good times back to Belfast.

“This is probably, and not to devalue the previous ones, the first Prizefighter with a really live field. No disrespect to Ciaran Healy but apart from him every one of these fighters is young and hungry for the opportunity.

“It’s not to say that Ciaran doesn’t want it, and I don’t mean it like that, but there are some fighters included here who are just starting out.

“These guys are trying to make a name for themselves and this is the opportunity they wanted and maybe needed to get their career that boost. It’s what Prizefighter does for a boxer and they realise the opportunity they have.”

Rea has taken training for Prizefighter very seriously and teaming up with trainer Kevin Maree has worked wonders.

Hearn was full of vigour and looked as if he was as proud of this Prizefighter series as any of those that had gone before; he conducted interviews with each boxer and also gave praise to Joe Rea in particular for the effort he has given to get in shape for this one.

He was not favourable to any one boxer on the whole, he just felt it necessary to let the public know how Rea has changed his mind-set and the extraordinary effort given to get to the level of fitness he is at.

Such extreme praise could prove to be a pivotal boost for the Ballymena man to take into Saturday’s tournament and perhaps Rea is the one to watch despite the bookmakers’ having it as O’Kane’s to lose.

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