Prize Fighter Boxing

[Harry]

Did anyone watch the boxing on Sky Sports on friday where a number of boxers fought in a mini comp over the night. Each fight lasted 3 rounds. The big man from Belfast one it and he fully deserved it. He looked like a big rough lad before it started and he certainly didn't disappoint. He had Eamon magee in his corner.

It was a fantastic night of boxing and i hope we see more of this type of thing.

Also good luck to Joe Calzaghe this weekend.

[Harry]

It was the heavyweights and TBH honest mate i'm out of touch with alot of the amateur scene. £20,000 to the winner. I'll look it up and try and show a link.

The lad who was beat in the final was a Pro and while he conceeded quite alot of weight he made up for it by outboxing his opponent. Used a staright jab to great affect. They just walked onto it and while he didn't hurt them he was landing scoring points.

The big lad from Belfast was a complete brawler and just ripped into him and put him down twice in 3 rounds. Fantastic viewing.
Altough he chose a Tricolor as his flag...he had my full support ;D

[Harry]

Mate if you google 'Sky sports prize fighter you will see who won it but the link keeps failing when i use it here. here's the jist of it..



Martin Rogan upset favourite David Dolan to win the inagural Prizefighter at the York Hall in Bethnal Green.



With former WBU welterweight champion Eamonn Magee in his corner, the Belfast boxer claimed a points victory to net the winner's cheque of £25,000.


He twice had his opponent on the canvas in a gruelling final that rounded out an excellent night of boxing seen live on Sky Sports.


Rogan's come-forward approach certainly got him the nod on the judges' scorecards by a margin of 29-25, 29-27, 28-27.


"It means the world to me," he told Sky Sports. "That's a world title to me.


"The money is fantastic but it comes and goes. This title will be with me for the rest of my life.



Entertainment


"I knew I'd get the crowd behind me, I hope all those that have suppored me here come to Ireland to watch my next fight, because I always give entertainment."


The night had started with eight boxers going into battle in a knockout competition fighting three, three-minute round contests to bring about one winner.


Rogan gave a warning to the rest with a stunning second-round knockout in his quarter-final clash with 22-year-old Alex Ibbs.


He came close to ending the bout in the first, only the bell saving his rival from Portsmouth who also suffered a nasty cut.


In the last four he managed to get the better of Bill Bessey's conqueror, David Ferguson, who seemed tired after his earlier exhertions.



Pedigree


Dolan had been the heavy favourite following an excellent amateur career that had included winning a gold medal at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.


However, he was forced to work hard in his opening bout, taking some heavy punishment from Darren Morgan in the second round.


His semi-final showdown with Paul Butlin, who had caused a surprise of his own with a stoppage success over the experienced Colin Kenna, turned out to be much more one-sided, although he had to settle for a win on points.


It proved to be one fight too far though for the man from Sunderland in the final, Rogan's bullish strength and heavy hands making sure Irish eyes were smiling when the final bell sounded.

[earl]

Boxing on this island at the moment is in fine fettle. You got Duddy, Lee, Macklin, McClosky and Dunne. Derry can be proud of Duddy and McCloskey. Two very good fighters. Andy Lee though looks to be a future talent. The Limerick man is in his early 20's and is savage to watch.