Byrne stars on homecoming

8 August 2010 – Cormac Campbell

Dean Irish Lightening Byrne returned to an Irish ring for the first time since his amateur days with an assured fourth round stoppage of Latvian Konstanins Sakarra on Saturday night.

The undefeated Dubliner, 13-0 (6KO) has built up quite a reputation during spells in Australia and the US and now could be the right time for him to return home to chase a European title shot.

On the evidence of Saturdays victory over Konstanins, 6-13-1 (5KO), Byrne has plenty in the tank. He can box, he has variety, speed and can punch with authority.

Entering the ring to Thin Lizzys The Boys are Back in Town, Byrne quickly set about the task of dismantling the Latvian, who had extended Oisin Fagan the distance in 2008. After feeling his opponent out for the first two rounds, Byrne took control in the third, upped the pace and finished things in the fourth with an impressive body attack.

Sakarra went down twice from body blows – the first from a double fisted assault. Sakarra beat the count, but he was to return to the canvas only seconds later when a right hand to the ribs put him down again. Emile Tiedt waved the contest off after just 40 seconds of the round.

Should Byrne elect to extend his homecoming, talk of an all-Irish lightweight clash with Andy Murray will undoubtedly increase in volume.