Irish Boxer of the Year targets Kessler

by Jonny Stapleton
BRIAN Magee pleased the Irish boxing fraternity so much in 2011 he was awarded the Irish Boxer of the Year prize in St Anges Gym yesterday.

However, having further endeared himself to Irish fight fans the Belfast fighter is now on a mission to get on the wrong side of the Danish equivalent in a bid to secure a mega Mikkel Kessler fight.

As revealed by Mirror Sport in December, Magee officially confirmed he will make the first defence of his WBA super middleweight title against Rudy Markussen in Copenhagen on February 18.

Having prevented Mads Larsen from collecting the European title in Denmark in 2010 the veteran fighter is well aware he will become Danish boxing’s public enemy number one if he can deny Markussen world title glory next month.

The former British and European champ is hoping once that is achieved Danish fight fans will call on the Great Boxing Dane and former Super Six star, Kessler to get Magee revenge.

“Kessler is definitely a possibility. The last time we were over in Denmark, there was talk about me and him. It makes a lot of sense if I have beaten two top Danish guys to then fight the their biggest fighter. The Markussen defence will only help raise my profile further over there and hype up a possible Kessler fight,” Magee explained.

“You cant look past Markussen, but after this fight there is definitely a sense you can pick who you want to fight next. There is names like Kessler, Ward, Froch and others, but Kessler would be the preference. We are going to Denmark and fighting Danish fighters so Kessler would be very easy to make.”

Irish boxing’s most travelled pro is certainly shinning in his twilight years and he claims age has made him appreciated a successful year , in which he successfully defend his European title and won the WBA interim strap, all the more.

“It has been a brilliant year and fair play to my management team for getting me big fights. It has been amazing . Hopefully next year will be a another good one. I am enjoying it more this time. First time round it all goes over your head. You never got the chance to enjoy it.”
The years other National Professional Boxing Award winners were Jamie Conlan, Pascal Collins and Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan.

Conlan succeeded Jamie Kavanagh as Irish Prospect of the Year. Collins, who is currently in Finland preparing Ian Tims for his EU title fight, picked up the Trainer of the Year award and O’Sullivan won Irish Champion of the Year.