Christmas ruined for Ormond and co as Dec 16 card is postponed/canceled
By Jonny Stapleton
Irish boxing’s cancellation curse has struck again this time with lethal affect as the Liverpool Frank Warren card was cancelled today.
The Irish flavoured fight menu was set for December 16, but was postponed today ‘after the party who had contracted Queensberry Promotions to supply the boxing element at the event failed to comply with the terms of the agreement.’
The news takes away a massive opportunity for four Irish fighters to propel themselves into the consciousness of British fight fans.
Most affected will be Stephen Ormond. The Clondalkin fighter, who Bernard Dunne backed to replace the void left by his retirement, was due to challenge the experienced and well known Carl Johanneson for the WBO lightweight Intercontinental title on the a card in which Irish boxing legend Steve Collins was heavily involved in.
The perennial prospect wasn’t the only one affected, however. Gary ’Spike’ O’Sullivan and Tommy Tolan were due to fight in an eagerly anticipated clash for the Irish middleweight title.
Cork based O’Sullivan was hoping victory would see him close in on Commonwealth champion Jamie Cox.
The fighter, who almost secured one of the most sensational Senior National Title after an amazing return to the sport earlier this year, Karl Brabazon was denied the chance to make his debut.
Warren and Queensberry have hinted at running a show with the same Irish fighters in Dublin in 2012, but that will prove little consulation at present as the boxing Grinch all but ruined their Christmas.
A statement on the Frank Warren website read as follows:
“Queensberry Promotions and BoxNation’s involvement at the dinner event at St George’s Hall, Liverpool due to take place on 16 December, has been withdrawn after the party who had contracted Queensberry Promotions to supply the boxing element at the event failed to comply with the terms of the agreement.
“Queensberry Promotions gave the party every opportunity and as much time as reasonably possible to comply with the agreement, but when the necessary funds weren’t forthcoming, Queensberry Promotions had no option but to cancel the contract and withdraw its fighters from the event.
“Francis Warren, Managing Director of Queensberry Promotions said, ‘It’s bitterly disappointing that the party have failed to comply with the terms of the agreement, and that the boxers on the card will not get the opportunity to fight before Christmas.”
