Well conditioned
10 November 2008 – Press Release
Bernard Dunne says hes determined to prove hes ready for a world title fight by beating Cristian El Terrible Faccio in style on this Saturdays Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the Breaffy House Resort, Castlebar.
After an intensive six week training camp in Belfast, Dunne is confident that he can produce a sparkling performance against the Uruguayan power puncher.
The Dubliner has been concentrating on his strength and conditioning ahead of this weekends bout having added specialist coach Mike McGurn to his training team. McGurn has a wealth of experience working with top class athletes on their strength and conditioning including a stint as the Irish Rugby teams fitness coach.
Ive been working very hard with Mike McGurn and Fergus Connolly to improve my strength, he said.
Thats an area that we sat down as a team and decided we needed to work on. Mike has great experience from working with the Irish rugby team over the last few years and Fergus is currently working with the Welsh rugby team so they bring a lot to the table in terms of know how and experience.
Weve been working on developing explosive power while also improving my overall strength because thats very important if you want to compete at world level. Ive also done a lot of work with them in terms of my diet and reducing my body fat correctly. The important thing is to have lean muscle rather than bulking up which would obviously affect my weight.
Ive still been working as hard as ever in the gym on my technique with Harry Hawkins but we felt it was important to introduce the strength and conditioning aspect as well and hopefully Ill show all the benefits of that work on Saturday night.
Dunne has had to contend with a late change of opponent after Faccio stepped in to replace original opponent Eduardo Garcia but hes not perturbed by the switch.
Its not ideal but the good thing is that having watched a few of his fights Faccio is quite similar in style to Garcia. Hes aggressive and likes to come forward but thats the kind of opponent I like anyway because you dont have to go looking for them.
The Dubliners manager, Brian Peters believes an impressive win on Saturday will leave his charge on the brink of a world title fight but for now Dunne is putting that to the back of his mind.
From day one my career has always been about getting a world title shot and I think were ready for that now. My confidence is back, Im fully focused and Ive no distractions. I’m 28 now so I know I need to step up to the mark and test myself against the big names at world level and hopefully 2009 will be all about that but for now the only thing Im thinking about is beating Cristian Faccio and getting another win under my belt.
Dunnes scheduled ten round fight with Faccio headlines what promises to be an action packed Hunky Dorys Fight Night. Heading the supporting cast is local hero Henry The Western Warrior Coyle who faces Birminghams Delroy Sweet D Mitchell in what will be Coyles first ever scheduled ten rounder.
Lurgan welterweight Stephen Haughian will be out for revenge when he goes up against Giamario Grassellini for the second time. The Italian inflicted the first defeat of Haughians pro career last December when he successfully defended his IBF Intercontinental title in Belfast courtesy of a split decision.
Also in action is Galway born welterweight prospect John ODonnell, as he looks to continue his impressive recent form. Tyrones Damian Taggart also features alongside Irish Canadian lightweight prospect Logan McGuinness while Brendan Ingles latest protg, Steve Barnes makes his pro debut.
Tickets for the Hunky Dorys Fight Night are on sale from Ticketmaster (phone 0818 719 300 or visit ticketmaster.ie). Tickets are also available from Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.
