Tank set to defend his title in Liverpool December 16
By Dean Byrne
IAN Tims is set to defend his Irish Cruiserweight title in Liverpool, on December 16th, on the under card of Stephen Ormond’s WBO intercontinental lightweight championship challenge.
The bout will be contested in St Georges hall and was announced Wednesday the 12th of November. The match pits Tims against stern opposition in Shane McPhilbin, who has Irish previous having beaten Declan Timlin in Prizefighter the Heavyweights.
Tims has not fought since March, when he beat Michael Sweeney for the belt, due to a recurrence of a hand injury which kept him out of action for over a year.
However he is now back in training and eyeing up several opponents for the near future, including a possible clash with Ryan Coyne, currently ranked eight in the world, but those fights will take the back seat for the time being according to the champ:
“I’ll be taking my Christmas break after the fight and in March I’ll be looking to get moving on making other fights happen, but for now I’m not looking past McPhilbin. I’ve been working hard, I was in sparring Spike (Gary O’Sullivan) for six tough rounds and to be honest I felt like I could go another six”.
McPhilbin, who has replaced Chris Keane as the entertaining no holds bars scheduled opponent, recently claimed the Midlands Area Cruiserweight title and has shared the ring with Michael Sprott.
He certainly isn’t a pushover but despite the standard of opposition Tims is confident he can get the job done inside the ten rounds. “I’m not worrying about him he’s got to look out for me, he is obviously going to be strong because he dropped down from heavyweight” the pugilist tells Irishboxing.com
“He is a come forward fighter which will suit me, your there to adapt and beat these fighters. When he comes forward I’m going to be right there in the middle of the ring to meet him. I have the experience to get the job done, I wont go out I could do another six.”
The event is being arranged by Frank Warren, Omega Fm & Queensbury promoters. On the night all four members of the Celtic Warrior stable will be in action, including Karl Brabazon as he makes his eagerly awaited pro debut. The future is indeed looking bright for Pascal Collins’ men.
