Big boxing night in Breaffy

Two out of three ain’t bad


Big-time boxing returned to Mayo last weekend

Austin Garvin

BREAFFY House Resort was packed to the rafters on Saturday night for what proved to be a dramatic night of mixed emotions for Mayo boxing fans.
Brian Peters has rightly identified Breaffy House Resort as a prime boxing venue, and the promoter was rewarded with a huge crowd that raised the decibel level throughout the evening. The crowd was treated to eight bouts of varying standard and entertainment, with the final international lightweight bout between Cavan’s Andy Murray and Brazil’s Claudinei Lacerda providing some quality fare.
Westport’s Finbarr Eade has taken to the professional scene like a duck to water. A latecomer to the paid fight game, Eade was an above average amateur who had departed the scene for some time before deciding to give the pro game a try.
The Westport boxer was very impressive in making it four out of four against Bulgaria’s Plamen Kostadinov. Displaying good ring craft, polish and power, the ice-cool Eade stalked the Bulgarian throughout and eventually won all four rounds on a 40 points to 34 verdict. He’s targeting an Irish title shot.
“He was awkward, he wouldn’t let me box him,” the 35-year-old, who had been struggling with foot and hand injuries beforehand, said of his opponent. “I think I dropped him three times. But my fitness is flying. I felt better in the fourth round than in the second.”
As usual Henry Coyle brought a huge crowd of supporters to Breaffy House. The immensely popular ‘Western Warrior’ showed that things are beginning to come together when he proved too good for Hungary’s Sandor Ramocsa.
The 29-year-old Chicago-based Geesala native was having his third fight in six months after missing a full year through a litany of injuries that began after his loss to Neil Sinclair at the Odyssey Arena in May 2009.
Coyle’s performance was some way ahead of his last fight in Breaffy against Sergejs Savrinovics in November 2008. There was a noticeable improvement in his defence in particular. He held both hands high throughout against a dangerous, hard-hitting opponent.
The Geesala man displayed a greater variety of punches throughout, and often made the Hungarian miss before countering effectively with both hands. He used his left hook to the body to good effect throughout the eight rounds, a tactic that helped to tire his opponent.
Coyle finished strongly and was well on top when the referee gave him the decision on a score of 80 points to 72. His large vocal following really vented their approval when the verdict was announced.
“I’m delighted with the way things went,” Coyle said afterwards. “I felt this is the best I have boxed for some time. I had to be careful in not getting involved in a slugging match as this guy could hit hard. I offloaded my own shots and made him miss.”
Unfortunately things didn’t work out as well for John Waldron. The likeable Ballyhaunis man lost his Irish light-heavyweight title to Belfast native CiarΡn Healy.
Waldron had already suffered a points loss to Healy in 2008 in Killarney and was anxious to put the record straight. Healy has been in against some quality opposition, including James DeGale and Andy Lee. The Belfast man was that little bit sharper throughout, in what was a hard-hitting contest. Waldron was often beaten to the punch before going down with a loping punch to the temple in round five.
The referee quickly stepped in and stopped the fight, leaving the Ballyhaunis native bitterly disappointed. He also damaged his shoulder in the fall and was in sombre mood afterwards.
Elsewhere, young Castlerea featherweight Darren Cruise was very impressive against Bulgaria’s Zahari Mutafchiev. He easily won all four rounds and showed he certainly has a future in the professional ranks. In addition to a potent left lead, he has a powerful punch in either hand. The Roscommon man has enjoyed a successful amateur career, and under Phil Sutcliffe, should prosper in the professional ranks.
Andy Murray made it 23 wins out of 23 with a thrilling victory over Brazilian Claudinei Lacerda.
This was certainly a step up in class for the Irish lightweight. The Brazilian was tough and he could punch too, as exemplified when he decked Murray in the first round.
It proved a salutary lesson for the Cavan man as he stayed out of trouble afterwards and countered superbly throughout in fashioning an exciting win on a 98-92 verdict.
Overall, this was a great night’s entertainment, and no doubt we will see more of similar quality in the future. Brian Peters said as much in expressing his satisfaction with the huge crowd and quality of the Breaffy venue.