Sparky Sean Magee buzzing for Belfast bow

Sparks Sean Magee is hoping to be somewhat electric at the SSE Odyssey Arena tonight.

The fighter whose uncles Eamonn, Noel, and Terry won two Irish and two Commonwealth titles between them, gets his first taste of a big show as he debut’s on the Matchroom Belfast Boy card tonight. 

The 27 year old was meant to debut on Kieran Farrell’s debut Belfast show in April, but opponent issues meant he had to compete in an exhibition and has yet to punch for pay. 

That chance is afforded to him tonight and, while he notes the win is a must, he like others on the card knows the value of a big performance on a Matchroom card.

“Getting the win is the main and most important thing but yeah it would be nice to make an impression and hopefully get on some more big show like this one, ” Magee told Irish-Boxing.com

The North Belfast man was absent from the final Burnett-Haskins press conference on Thursday, with his full time job as an electrician preventing this. The balancing act is hard, but it’s occasions like tonight that make it all the more worthwhile.

Super bantamweight Magee admitted that “at times it’s tough to fit it [the job] in with boxing as well.”

“Having to get up in the mornings, go for a run, then go to work, then straight in from work and out to then gym.”

“It’s a long day and there are nights where you’re just completely wrecked, but then you get opportunities like this, being on big shows such as this one, and that keeps you going and makes it all worth it.”

The fight comes less than two months after his initial debut date, and Magee is feeling better than ever. The Ulsterman outlined how “camp was good, I’m happy with how it went – fitness up and weight down, so I’m happy with it.”

“I had a couple of days off after the exhibition and then was straight back at it again.”

Tonight, in a float bout early on the card, Magee faces Jules Phillips [1(0)-7(1)] a tough English journeyman. The John Breen-trained boxer is focusing on himself and stated that “to be honest I don’t know a lot about him [Phillips] and I haven’t really thought about how I see the fight going.”

“I have trained hard for four rounds and going out to do my best and do what I have been working on in the gym.”

“I hope it goes well and everything comes together for me on the night.

The Burnett-Haskins undercard also features an Irish title fight between Luke Watkins and Ian Tims, Feargal McCrory v Paul Holt, James Tennyson v Ryan Doyle, Paul Hyland v Adam Dingsdale and appearances from Padraig McCrory, Matt Wilton, Sean McGoldrick, Paddy Gallagher and Tyrone McCullagh, as well as the return of Mike Perez.

Tickets for ‘Belfast Boy’ on June 10th at the SSE Odyssey Arena cost £30, £40, £60, £100, and £150 (VIP), and can be bought HERE. or at the door.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

LISTEN: Gavan Casey and Joe O’Neill speak to Luke Keeler and Paddy Barnes on Episode 6 of The Irish Boxing Show: