IRELAND’S newest professional cruiserweight has been given another boost ahead of his debut.

Gary Sweeney trades leather for the first time without the vest in South Africa in on September 19-the same night as Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders go to work in Thomond Park.

The former Senior heavyweight champion already knew his clash would be broadcast on Super Sport in Africa, but has now been informed ESPN will air his first paid fight.

Golden Gloves’ Rodney Berman has secured broadcast coverage on both ESPN and SuperSport. Under the arrangement, the ESPN territories are Canada, Latin America, New Zealand and Australia.

“This is a big breakthrough,” said Berman. “Television is central to international boxing and is what creates new stars. ESPN have a long history in boxing and select their events carefully, so this is a real feather in our caps.