Lightning ready to strike again

By Jonny Stapleton

DEAN ’Irish Lightning’ Byrne claims he will prove lightening does strike twice by adding more British wins to his unblemished record.

The Crumlin native led a bit of a nomadic existence with wins in Ireland, America, Australia and now England making up his 15 fight record.

The former Wild Card Gym resident is now ready to settle down and has paired up with Frank Warren. Now having made a successful British debut in the York Hall with victory over Michael Frontin last Saturday he wants to start registering regular wins across the water.

Byrne looked comfortable if not the future world champion Freddie Roach has predicted, but believes it is the start of something big for the Dubliner.

“It was fantastic to fight here in the York Hall. Look forward to Irish Lightning striking again. Legends fought in this arena and I think it has seen a new one in the making tonight,” Byrne said before revealing a late change of opponent had him a little apprehensive before the bout.

“I was nervous about this fight. I had another opponent lined up initially and I was anticipating that fight, but I fought this tough kid last minute. I was happy to get rounds in and show my class over the fight.”

With over a year out of the paid circle ring rust was an issue for the former Freddie Roach trained star and Byrne claims it took him time to settle into his rhythm.

“I had good preparation with sparring Ricky Burns and that helped in terms of being out for so long. I was a bit rusty and had to get the cobwebs off. I didn’t want to go out all guns blazing. I took my time and improved as the fight went on. If it was a 12 round fight I would have taken him out in the later rounds.”

Having ended his long boxing sabbatical and gotten a taste for ring action again, Byrne is determined to stay busy.

The Dubliner wants to get back out as soon as possible and believes we will only see the best of him when he is in regular action.

“I haven’t fought in a year and you could see how good I was on Saturday despite that. I want to get another fight as soon as possible. I want to get busy and get sharp then you can really see what lightening can do in the ring.  I learnt a lot from my travels and you could see my experience in the ring on Saturday. It was a tough fight and I came through.”