Dunne ready to prove point against Pickering

BERNARD DUNNE takes his boxing career to a new level when he fights former champion, Esham Pickering, for the European Super Bantamweight title at The Point tonight.

Despite hosting Lennox Lewis, Prince Naseem Hamed, Wayne McCullough and Steve Collins, this is the first time the venue has been sold out for a boxing match.

Ticketmaster Ireland managing director, Eamonn O’Connor said: “We have Paul Simon and the Scissors Sisters in concert this week and then it is Pink, Bruce Springsteen and Christina Aguilera and the fact that Bernard is up there with big names proves how popular he has become.”

And, just like his popularity, his career will soar to new heights if he can beat Pickering tonight but he faces an enormous task against a man who has won British, European and Commonwealth titles.

Dunne’s manager/promoter, Brian Peters, and Pickering’s trainer, Brendan Ingle, fired most shots while Dunne’s trainer, Harry Hawkins, insisted they didn’t need to talk this fight up.

“Look, it’s sold out,” he said. “Bernard is in the shape of his life. Back in June I said he was pretty close to the complete fighter and he is even closer now. I think you will see a very competent fighter. He has been working hard and he is fitter than he has ever been before in his life.”

“Winning the European title will catapult us into a new league,” Dunne said hinting at a return to the US. “That is when we would start looking for the big fights again. There are plenty of good fights out there for me. I am more than ready. I know what the top fights in this division are.”

“Let’s not start counting the chickens,” was the warning from Pickering’s trainer, Brendan Ingle. “Don’t blink tonight, Get there early. This is going to be a fantastic night.”

Dubliner Ingle, who handled several world champions including Prince Naseem Hamed, made no secret of the fact they have come to Dublin to win.

Pickering was controversially beaten by Michael Hunter on a split decision earlier this year despite having his opponent on the floor in the first and second rounds before losing his way.

“That was not me in there that night. You will see the real me tomorrow night,” he said. “I see tomorrow night’s fight as the hardest fight of my life. It is going to be a good fight until I knock him out. I can look him in the eye and say that. He can’t say that with confidence.”

“Esham is a good fighter but I am ready for him,” Dunne insisted. “This is the next fight in my career. I will move on from here. Everybody here knows what I am capable of. I will do all my talking when I’m in the ring.

“Moving from the National Stadium to The Point is a huge step. You are in a comfort zone in the Stadium where you know you can sell out 2,500 tickets. When you move to The Point you know you are in the big league. It is a fantastic boost for me to know so many people are coming out to watch.”

Billy Walsh from Shanagarry makes his home debut against Rocky Muscas on tonight’s bill. He had not boxed since Francis Barrett stripped him of his national title en route to the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 but made a sensational pro debut in the US earlier this year when he stopped Shaun Hanson 40 seconds into the second round. Now he wants to box for the Irish professional middleweight title.