IN FULL FLIGHT Bernard Dunne delivers a right to Felix Machado during the Hunky Dorys Fight Night at Breaffy House last weekend.
Pics: Michael McLaughlin Saturday night fever
The huge crowd were the winners at Breaffy Arena Austin Garvin BY any standards, Saturday was certainly a night to remember at Breaffy House Resort. The razzmatazz associated with professional boxing was there in all its glory. The dazzling lights, the long-winded introductions, the scantily-clad young ladies entering the ring between rounds, live musical entertainment between the main event, and much more besides were all in evidence.
Who’s who of Irish sporting life were there in all their glory as Marty Morrissey of RTÉ introduced them one by one. Amongst those in attendance were Eddie O’Sullivan, John Maughan, Mickey Harte, Keith Wood, Peter ‘The Claw’ Clohessy, Paul McGrath, Peter Canavan, Jimmy Magee, Michael Carruth, Brian O’Brien, Davy Fitzgerald, Dave ‘Boy’ McCauley, Mick Dowling, Jim Rock, and numerous others.
For those of us who are used to attending amateur boxing, this was light years removed from the Simon Pure form of the sport. The honesty and, dare one say it, the innocence of amateur boxing goes out the window when compared to what we witnessed on Saturday night.
Somehow, professional boxing seems to attract a different type of clientele altogether. Whatever the attraction, people have little trouble forking out large sums of money to watch the action. Seeing tattooed young men without singlets or the mandatory headgear we are accustomed to in the amateur form of the sport confronting one another in the ring is an all-consuming passion. Followers travelled from all over the country to attend the action, or in some cases inaction, and they would again in the future.
Certainly there were some good fights. There were others where the individuals involved seemed intent on self-preservation, and on going the distance. There were other still, it seemed, that failed to go the distance, and one would have to ask the question: where and when did the punch land? This caused one wag sporting a Dublin accent to enquire of the individual involved: “Auld son, are you all right there?”
They didn’t have to question the timing or the connection of Keith Cresham’s right hand haymaker that turned out the lights for Andrei Toistihs in the fourth round. Cresham is a well-built strong boy who travels to Rosmuc three to four times a week for coaching under former world title contender Seán Mannion. For one who has few amateur fights under his belt, he certainly has the power at his disposal to end a fight prematurely.
Another local boxer, Michael ‘The Storm’ Sweeney from Ballinrobe, ensured that Hungarian Ronald Norvath had an early night. Sweeney had his man down twice before ending the contest in the fourth round with a fine right hand. The Ballinrobe man has his heart set on a career in the professional ranks and is putting in the hard work. His dad Michael Snr, father-in-law John Mongan, and Seán Mannion were all in his corner, and were delighted with his fine win. Incidentally seeing Galway man Mannion sporting a genuine Mayo jersey certainly added to the variety and flavour of the occasion.
The main event on the card involving the returning Bernard Dunne and Felix Machado, attracted the usual introductory formalities we have come to expect at this stage. The glittering lights and entourage accompanying Dunne into the ring, the introductions of the boxers, the young ladies holding the flags of the two countries, the singing of the anthems in the ring, and the presence of the many corner men and others, were all part of the show.
The fight itself was quite enjoyable if lacking the intensity of what it promised. Machado, who, at a reported 35, was well past his best, comfortably went the distance with Dunne. Even before the fight began, one suspected the swagger and self-confidence Dunne possessed prior to the Martinez fight were now gone. His performance told us as much. In the card of referee Emile Teidt, he won all ten rounds; in the eyes of the discerning audience, this was far from the reality of what unfolded.
Machado accepted that Dunne won the fight afterwards, but thought a two-point-winning margin would be closer to reality. He was probably right, and Dunne as much as accepted this at the press conference afterwards when he acknowledged the ability of Machado. He accepted that his performance was stale following his lay-off, and said he would have a break to let his body recover before deciding when to fight again. One would have to ask where does he go to from here?
One doesn’t have to pose any such question regarding the future of the International Events Arena at Breaffy House Resort. The Arena drew lavish praise from everyone in attendance. Promoter Brian Peters acknowledged this at the press conference and said they couldn’t be more welcoming or accommodating. Praise indeed for those with the foresight to place such an impressive facility in the heart of Mayo.
