Lee Murtagh's Boxing Diary:
Title fights are like buses!
By Lee Murtagh
for East Leeds Magazine, January 2012
First of all, a happy new year to you all. Traditionally this time of year is a quiet one in boxing circles, but for me, 2012 seems to be bucking the trend.
But before I start on all that, I'd just like to take you back a few weeks to my last show of 2011 and the Denzil Browne - Neil Wain 'Northern Guvnor' belt. It was very much a fight with a difference and not quite the humdinger we all expected. Denzil caught his opponent with an early upper cut, which I'm led to believe broke Neil's jaw. He must of been in some pain as he 'smothered' the fight by pushing, wrestling and continually holding Denzil. I was surprised the decision went Neil's way as he hardly threw any punches but I have to say he put up a brave performance although it wasn't boxing in the true sense of the word. I hope a rematch is on the cards but we'll have to wait and see.
So onto this year and I've got my first show on February 10th in Clayton, Bradford. It's not often we'll have a show so early in the year but it's a case of 'back by popular demand, after my first show there last November. It heralds the comebacks of Seacroft's Sam Smith and Billy Wilkinson who have both had long layoffs with injury. Sam's keen to get back in the ring after six months with a torn cartilage and hopes to have another crack at the Europeans sooner rather than later. Billy's scheduled to fight for the EBF English Super Featherweight title in Blackpool on March 3rd, so he really needs a warm up fight. Also Keith Smyth is challenging for the EBF North East Area Title.
Sam and Billy will be accompanying me training in Tenerife for a week, which will make a nice change from me, myself & I, out there!
As I began writing this column, I was training solely for the inaugural fight for the Gaelic Celtic Middleweight Championship. I got the confirmation through over the Christmas period and am very proud to be blazing a trail, on what hopefully will become an important title in the future. Then, like buses, along came another. I was offered a crack at the Irish Super Middleweight title against JJ Mc.Donagh in Brighton on February 25th.
So I’ve got two massive fights within weeks of each other. The Irish belt is up first and the most important for me but I’ve got a good feeling about the Gaelic Celtic Championship as well. I feel like gentleman Jim Corbett! Gentleman Jim boxed John L Sullivan in first gloved heavyweight title, ironically a famous fight between two Irish immigrants. The Gaelic Celtic Championship is licensed by the World Boxing Federation who are an up and coming South African based organisation. I think this gives them a massive amount of credence and I congratulate them for offering, not only something new, but a bit of a lifeline for Irish licensed boxers which should open doors for them to fight in Scotland and Wales until the situation (hopefully) picks up in Ireland. The belts are open to anyone of Gaelic Celtic origin, as well as the traditional seven traditional Gaelic Nations (answers on a postcard!) could involve boxers the world over, there’s Gaelic connections in France and Spain, Canada, Argentina, Montserrat, around the Aegean to name a few. I've already heard of an American version taking place in Savannah Georgia with the winner fighting in Ireland.
My opponent has yet to be confirmed but the fight will take place on 20th April 2012 at the Irish Centre and will be promoted by Derek Roche's Rebel Promotions. I'll have more information in the next issue, or check on our web site or facebook page.
For more details regarding Bethlehem Boxing, please give me a call on 07793 240535
Lee Murtagh
