City Hall clash a dream come true, says Walsh

BILLY WALSH will arrive at today’s weigh-in (4pm) at the Clarion Hotel with a clean bill of health for tomorrow night’s clash with Moroslov Kubik from the Czech Republic at Cork City Hall.

The Shanagarry man, in only his third professional fight, will top the bill for Gary Hyde’s ‘Valentine’s Weekend Massacre’ which also features the former world No 2 welterweight, Neil Sinclair, light welterweight Stephen Haughian and unbeaten Paul McCloskey.

“It is a dream come true,” Walsh insisted. “Last July I was having my first professional contest against Shaun Hanson and here I am top of the bill at City Hall.”

There was a scare last week when an old back problem re-surfaced during a sparring session with Neil Sinclair in Belfast.

“I had my final physio session this morning and it is absolutely perfect now,” he said yesterday. “Barry Mulcahy, owner of the Midleton Fitness Centre, has worked wonders for me and his colleague, Mark Hennessy, has been a great help with my strength.

“The fact that I dropped down a division meant I had to watch my weight and that was why the strength training was so important. But I have absolutely no problem making welterweight.

“And my strength has not been diminished in any way. I would say that I am stronger now than when I boxed Rocky Muscas at The Point.”

Six rounds won’t bother him at all and he insisted he is in shape to box 10. “But I don’t intend to let this fight go six rounds. I am told he is a durable opponent but I have a big punch and I intend to use it. I will be a lot more economical with my punches than I was at The Point. I probably got a little bit carried away.

“The Point was a great experience but City Hall is special to me. It was there I won my first Irish title back in 1985 and this will be my first time back. In fact I never thought I would box there as a professional.”

His trainer, Paschal Collins, arrived in Cork midweek and Mark Porter from Donegal, who was also in his corner in Cape Codd, flew in yesterday.”

Bernard Dunne will be alongside Michael Flatley and a host of celebrities from the world of sport and entertainment at the ringside and a future ring appearance by the European super bantamweight champion in Cork is not beyond the bounds of possibility.

“I think this is going to be a super show,” Dunne’s Promoter/Manager, Brian Peters, said yesterday. “You have to hand it to Gary Hyde who has put a great bill together. I mean this could be the under-card for a world title fight on SKY.”