Prizefighter in Belfast as undercard to ‘Dudey’ Katsidis
By Jonny Stapleton
EDDIE Hearn has exhausted all world title avenues to no avail and can not as previously predicted get Paul McCloskey a shot at a prestigious belt in March.
However, the Matchroom boss has quickly moved to appease disappointed Belfast fight
fans by promising to deliver the biggest boxing night the city has ever seen.
Hearn is bringing Prizefighter to the Odyssey in late March or early April and will amazingly use the knockout knockout tournament as an under card for a Paul McCloskey/Michael Katsidis clash.
‘Dudey’ and his loyal army of supporters were hoping for a 2012 world title tilt, but Hearn claims it proved a financial impossibility.
The promoter also turned down a potential WBA interim title fight with Johan Perez believing former WBA interim world lightweight champion Katsidis is the kind of opponent to attract the attention of current world title holders and their promoters.
“We exhausted all world title options. We had talks with Marcos Maidana, Timothy Bradley, Lammont Peterson and others. I offered them the kind of money that would have ensured I would have lost a few quid and they asked for double that. It is a financial impossibility,” Hearn exclusively told Mirror Sport yesterday.
“I spoke to Paul and told him we need a name to keep his profile up and we need a fight soon to keep him rocking. Katisidis is a well know fighter. He is know in Britain and Ireland because of his fights with Kevin Mitchell and Ricky Burns. He likes to go to war. He is the type of opponent that will capture the imagination. We need to keep banging the drum and defeating Katisidis will keep Paul in world title contention,” Hearn added before adding the icing to the cake.
“I always wanted to bring a Prizefighter to Belfast . I love the city and its boxing fans. Their response when we there in September and any other time was crazy. So I thought why not kill two birds with one stone. I hope to announce a Prizefighter the Internationals and ‘Dudey’ as the main event in the Odyssey as early as next week.”
The promoter mothers and grannies love to love will win an eternal place in Irish fight fans hearts if he can bring such a mega show to the current capital of Irish boxing.
The heir to the Matchroom throne has already began talks with team Katsidis and claims inaugural Prizefighter winner Martin Rogan is on board to fight in a Heavyweight Prizefighter the Internationals.
“I spoke to Martin Rogan this morning. He Is all for it and excited. It would be great to have him and some international heavyweight names on the show. Contact has been made with team Katisidis too. This is something that has never been done before. I pitched it to Sky and they love it. I know it would sell out the Odyssey. The wheels are in motion it is just a case of making the financials work now.”
