Sweeney on Tims fight

18 March 2011 – Jonny Stapleton

The party started early with some good old argy bargee at the official weigh-in for Saturdays much anticipated Irish Cruiserweight title fight.

However, Micheal Sweeney is adamant opponent Ian Tims will not be partying whatsoever after Saturdays clash on the undercard of Willie Caseys WBA title tilt. The head to head got heated and soon upgraded to hand to face, as Tims pushed a snarling Sweeney before the pair were pulled apart. The minor alterations means Irish fight fans got a teasing appetiser for one of the most eagerly anticipated bouts on the City West fight menu. Now having exchanged an abundance of verbal blows outside the ring Sweeney is eager to trade blows of a more harmful and damaging nature.

The former Banner Promotions fighter plans to prove the sword is indeed mightier than the pen by attacking Tims in the ring and not via the press. Sweeney is very confident Mayo will win out over the capital and predicts The Storm will blow Tims away.

I wish the fight was on right now after that. It is in the ring you have to do it that is what I am going to do, Sweeney told www.irish-boxing.com after the scuffle over the scales.

I am going to do my talking in the ring. Timsey talks a good fight and I really hope he puts up a good one, because trust me when he meets the Storm tomorrow night he will be blown away. That little spat will give me a bit of extra motivation. It wont upset my rhythm or my plans but it will help a bit. I was not expecting that to happen, but these things happen in boxing. I very confident going into the bout. It will be a one hell of a fight. If he wants a tear up he will get it. I will match and trump his best over 10 rounds, the Sean Mannion trained puncher added before commenting on Tims claims that his amateur pedigree should make him favourite.

He was a good amateur. I cant take that away from him, but tell him this is professional boxing. Willie Casey did nothing as an amateur but look were he is now. I cant take his amateur record away from him, but I can beat him as a pro. He has to prove himself against me in the ring and when I beat him he should shake my hand.

An opportunity to draw first blood in the bad blood match up The Ballinrobe big man isnt all that is motivating Sweeney, however, winning an Irish title will prove a dream come true for the former light heavyweight.

It is a honour for me to be fighting for this title. If I win an Irish title you go down in the history books forever. Injuries and some boxing politics prevented me from getting my shot at light-heavy but I am at cruiserweight now and I will be Irish champion at this weight.

Meanwhile, three time IABA World Champion Katie Taylor is excited about displaying her skills to the people of Ireland. The last time the world amateur pound for pound champ fought in front of a sizeable Irish audience was on a Bernard Dunne undercard, but she will face the Spanish champion in a support bout to Caseys title tilt.

And whilst the great lady hopes Casey can emulate the popular Dubliner, Taylor predicts a tough test for the Limerick man tonight. The former Irish football international has first glove experience of the Cuban having sparred him earlier in the year.

It is great to be the undercard of another world title fight. I fought on the undercard of a Bernard Dunne fight and that was one of the best nights of my career. Now I am on the card of another fantastic fight between Willie and Rigondeaux it will be a fantastic night of boxing. Its great to be able to box at home in front of the Irish crowd. I sparred him and I didnt lay a glove on him. He is a great fighter. He is a double Olympic Champion and his foot work is unbelievable. He is very hard to hit. It is going to be a great fight between him and Willie, she added before discussing a recent visit to the famous Wild Card Gym.

I was in LA filming an advert for Lucozade and I went to Freddie Roachs gym a couple of times. I sparred one lad over there and it was great to be in the gym. Freddie was really encouraging. It was a brilliant experience to meet him in the flesh. I got my picture taken with him it is just a pity Khan or Manny were not there.