Dunlop rubbishes Geraghty’s Belfast ducking claims
Belfast promoter/manager Mark Dunlop has dismissed claims from Dubliner Deco Geraghty who asserted yesterday that James Tennyson and his team had turned down numerous fight offers before finally agreeing to an Irish title clash which will play out in December.
Dunlop, who manages the Frank Warren-promoted Tennyson, contacted Irish-Boxing.com to give his team’s side of the story, arguing that no such offers were made and that it was in fact Tennyson who had pushed for the fight.
The MHD Promotions chief stated that “we have never been offered a fight with Declan Geraghty before. despite his claims.
“Last year, as you are aware, James Tennyson was fully focused on his mandatory challenge for the British Featherweight Title, and after struggling to make the weight he came up short against a good champion in Ryan Walsh.”
“After this contest James was involved in a car accident that kept him out of the gym, and out of his scheduled return contest on my recent show at the Europa Hotel as he was not fully ready for his ring return.”
Outlining how the fight came about, Dunlop described how “after watching Declan’s last performance [an 80-72 win over Johnson Tellez] and interview afterwards on IFL, James asked me if I could make a fight with him. I told him yes, but said he would need a warm up first as he had been out for so long.”
“I then phoned Frank Warren, his promoter ,and asked for this fight to be made if possible. We are delighted that Declan and his team have accepted the challenge.”
Dunlop also revealed that the fight, which is subject to both boxers coming through their November 5th contests on the Belfast Boxnation show, will not take place in Ireland.
He explained that “while no contracts have been signed as of yet, we are in discussions and confident that this fight will go ahead in early December should James and Declan come through their next fights successfully without injury.”
“While we are not a liberty to pass on the proposed time, date, or venue, we can confirm that this mega local derby will not take place in Ireland to James, Declan, and the local fight fans’s disappointment.”
Dunlop also commented on Geraghty’s appraisal of Tennyson’s 16(13)-2(2) record, noting how “I am in agreement with Declan that James has suffered two stoppage losses to date, one being very early in his career and the other in a major title challenge, neither carry any shame as his achievements at this young age of 23 far outweigh his losses.”
“While it is easy to digest someones record I take solace in their performances against mutual opponents.”
“While my stable is small, it is select. It gives me the opportunity to treat them equally and get them in the best positions and opportunities I can. They are all certainly active.”
