Monaghan provides Irish interest on Cotto Margarito Card
By Jonny Stapleton
Seanie Monaghan claims the memory of his late friend will spur him on to victory as he fights on the biggest stage of his fledgling career this Saturday night.
The American born Irish fighter fights on a massive Madison Square Garden card for the first time in his flowering career hoping victory will help raise his growing profile further and move him up the rankings.
Losing isn’t an option or a possibility for the Irish title hopeful as he plans to win for his best friend and the man who brought him into boxing. According to Monaghan opponent Santos Martinez has no chance on the under card of the eagerly anticipated Antonio Margarito Miguel Cotto rematch.
“I am supremely confidant, especially for this fight. Not only am I fighting at the Garden but it’s the seven year anniversary of my best friend Bobby Calabrese’s murder. He was a brother to me and he’s the one that brought me to the boxing gym. He really believed in me and he’s been on my mind the whole training camp. I’m like a machine right now, my opponent has no chance in this fight,” Monaghan added.
It should prove a sombre moment for the Long Beach resident, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t excited ahead of the clash. Navan’s own pug’s talent obviously helped him secure a fight on the mega show, but he is quick to attribute some of his success to his loyal following.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be on the December 3rd card. I’ve been really blessed by the support my home town has shown me. Its enabled me to get on all the biggest fights because the promoters know I bring an army with me. Now its at the point where they can’t give us enough tickets to sell. We sold over 600 tickets for the last fight and we needed more but they didn’t have anymore. It’s a good problem to have.”
The former bricklayer has laid successful foundations to what many suggest has the potential to be a successful in 2011. He remained undefeated for ten fights and is adamant 2012 will be even better.
“2012 is going be another busy and exciting year for me. We’ve got offers on the table from all the biggest promoters here in the US. I stayed unsigned my first year so I could jump on any available fight card and it worked out great. I’m 10 and 0 and I have only been pro a little over a year. Now that I am going to be fighting 8 and 10 rounders I won’t be fighting every month so I might consider settling down and signing with a big name promoter. Hopefully this year I’ll get my first Vegas fight and my first Ireland fight. I’m working extremely hard and when the time comes, believe me I’ll be ready.”
