Casey’s world chance

3 December 2010 – Jonny Stapleton

European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey has been offered the chance to fight for a World title after just 11 pro bouts.

Only four weeks on from claiming the EBU belt once held by Bernard Dunne, Casey is amazingly closing in on the world title strap that previously sat proudly around the Dubliners waist.

Irelands very own Cinderella Man continues his meteoric rise from boxing rags to riches and has been offered a shot at Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux and the WBA Interim World title he took of Ricardo Cordoba.

However, if Big Bang, who has literally exploded on the boxing scene over the last sixth months, is to follow world path he will have to give up his European champion status and vacate the continental belt.

And if the Limerick native does take on the Cuban, who many regard as the greatest amateur of all time and is managed by Cork man Gary Hyde, his potentially mouth watering continental clash with Kiko Martinez will be off.

I can confirm we are in talks about Willie Casey and Rigondeaux fighting for the WBA Interim world title fight. I believe this fight is going to happen, Hyde told Mirror Sport.

I always said once I got a world champion I would bring him back to Ireland. To have a sensation like Willie Casey to fight him is great. It would be a perfect fight for Rigondeaux and a perfect fight for Casey. We are talking about possibly putting it on in Millstreet in March. I dont think he would be fighting Kiko if he is going to fight Rigondeaux. If he fights Rigondeaux it will have to be over the next couple of months.

Caseys team confirmed that talk of a world title shot were a reality and not just rumour, but did stress Martinez remains a potential opponent.

“We have had discussions with Rigondaux’s manager and obviously we are very interested in Willie fighting for a world title. We have Kiko in our sights for March but if the right offer is on the table then we would vacate the European Title and go for the WBA Title, Dolphils Daniel Halpin told Mirror Sport. We also hear that Rendall Munroe is looking for a shot. So right now we are in the process of looking at all options, talking to all parties and we will choose what is best for Willie Casey and Dolphil Promotions.”

Casey, who fights a non title fight in the National Stadium on December 10, is as per usual open to fighting anyone despite still being a relative novice. The former Prizefighter winner is entrusting his fight future to coach Phil Sutcliffe and promoter Dolphil.

I am focused on my fight coming up. I might not have got as much training for this one, but I treat every fight as a World title fight. In terms of world title talk I will leave negotiations to my team, Casey explained.

But I dont want to hang around too long in this game, I dont look for anything but if it comes my way ill take it. If I fight someone for a world title belt and I lose, well at least it was at world level. I always said if I’m going to get beaten I want to lose to the best at the highest level. What ever comes my way I will take and ill train to win and fight to win.