Macklin looking to Tipperary – Limerick showdown in the ring

British and Irish Middleweight Champion Matthew Macklin believes that the All-Ireland hurling semi final clash between Tipperary and Limerick could be replayed in the boxing ring in the not too distant future. The Munster rivals meet at Croke Park this Sunday in a crunch decider for the right to meet Kilkenny in this years All-Ireland final. Tipperary fan Macklin believes another major all Munster clash could be on the cards in the ring should he lift the European Middleweight title in Manchester next month.

Macklin meets World rated Finnish fighter Amin Asikainen on September 25th for the European title and a win could set up a massive all Irish clash with Limerick southpaw Andy Lee. The former Olypmian is currently listed at number 10 in the European ratings and Macklin says he’d welcome an All Irish clash if he can overcome Asikainen.

 

“That would be a great fight for Irish boxing fans,” said Macklin who has played hurling at underage level for Tipperary and remains a close friend of the county’s star player, Eoin Kelly.

“It would be the biggest all Irish fight for a long, long time and to have a major belt like a European title on the line would make it a massive occasion. Andy’s a good fighter and a decent lad but business is business at the end of the day and if I’m European Champion then I think it’s a fight that makes real sense.”

The Brian Peters managed Macklin has recently linked up with friend and former sparring partner Ricky Hatton to join his new promotional outfit and his first outing for the “Hitman” comes at the Manchester Velodrome on September 25th when he tops the bill against Asikainen.

“A defence in Ireland against Andy Lee would be great but for now I’m just concentrating on winning the title,” revealed Macklin. “Asikainen is a World class fighter, he first won the European title fight back in 2006 so he’s very experienced at this level. He’s currently rated number 4 in the World with the IBF so I know that beating him would put me within touching distance of a shot at the World title.”

It hasn’t been all good news for Macklin though, his date with Asikainen means that he won’t be able to leave his Manchester training camp to travel to Croke Park on Sunday. “I’m gutted that I won’t be able to come over for it but it would just disrupt my training too much to break camp for the weekend. I’m confident Tipp can do the job and go on a give Kilkenny a real go in the final. Kilkenny are an unbelievable side but they are well overdue an off day and I think Tipperary might be the team to knock them off their perch.”

Murray and Thaxton ready to get it on

John Murray will get an opportunity to win back the British Lightweight title he lost outside the ring when he meets Jon Thaxton in Altrincham, Greater Manchester on October 3rd. The mouth watering domestic dust up will hand Murray the chance to regain the title he surrendered on the weighing scales in June when he failed to make the 9 stone 9 pound lightweight limit by just 2 ounces ahead of a planned defence against English champ Scott Lawton.

The fight went ahead but without the Lonsdale belt on the line and Murray scored an impressive sixth round stoppage win over Lawton. Now the two best Lightweights in Britain will square off with former British and European Champ Jon Thaxton contesting the vacant title with Murray on a Hennessy Sports event at the Altrincham Leisure Centre on October 3rd.

The news comes during a week in which Murray was also named as the mandatory challenger for Anthony Mezaache’s European title. Mezaache took the title from Thaxton courtesy of a controversial points win in February and a surprise defeat by Tom Glover up at Welterweight in Thaxton’s last outing has seen Murray overtake his domestic rival in the European ratings.

Promoter Mick Hennessy has now handed them the opportunity to decide once and for all who is the best Lightweight in Britain. “This is one of those domestic fights that will have people on the edge of their seats,” said Hennessy.

“They are two of the most exciting fighters in British boxing and this really is going to be a thriller. John Murray is one of the most exciting talents to emerge in British boxing in years and he’s on the verge of very big things on the European and World stage.

“You write Jon Thaxton off at your peril though. His defeat to Tom Glover last time out was up at Welterweight, two weights out of his natural weight division and the Mezaache fight was a controversial decision. Jon’s a huge puncher and people have been writing him off for years and he keeps coming back to rip up the script and usually in spectacular style.

“Jon is only one win away from winning a Lonsdale belt for keeps and I know that’s a real driving force for him in this fight so there is so much on the line for these two guys.”