Angry Walsh ready to silence Gorman in Neptune showdown

BILLY WALSH admitted yesterday that he was irked by the suggestion from Belfast opponent James Gorman that he only had temporary custody of the All-Ireland welterweight championship belt.

Gorman sent a message to Walsh at the Midleton Fitness Centre telling him he was allowing him to mind the belt until they meet at Neptune Stadium on January 26 when he would be taking it back to Belfast.

“That annoyed me,” he said from his training camp in The Bronx Sporting Club in Dublin. “But the problem for Gorman is it made me mad and I wanted to fight him there and then but fortunately coach Packie Collins, was able to keep me calm and showed me how to use anger in a positive way.

“This is going to be the proudest moment of my life. I love Ireland and, more importantly, I love Cork and when I lift the title I’ll be doing it for everybody from Cork. It’s going to be a great night for the Rebels.”

His trainer, Paschal “Packie” Collins, knows only too well what a Rebel fan club can do. He made his pro boxing debut on the undercard to the sensational world title fight between his brother, Steven, and Chris Eubank at the Green Glens Arena.

But ticket sales would indicate that there will be a sizeable Belfast contingent at Neptune Stadium.

“All I can say at the moment is that Billy is in the shape of his life,” Collins insisted. “His training has gone very well and there have been no hitches.”

Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan from Mahon in Cork promises fireworks when he makes his professional debut on the undercard. O’Sullivan, who has enjoyed a successful amateur career, has vowed to impress the fight fans with the performance of his life having joined the Celtic Pride Boxing camp which operates out of the US.

“I’ve been working very hard in the gym and look forward to making a career in the paid ranks,” he said.

As an amateur he had a win over Belfast welterweight, Stephen Haughian, who recently missed out in an exceptionally close fight for the IBF Intercontinental Welterweight title and he reckons with the right guidance and a bit of luck he can go all the way.

An exciting undercard features the unbeaten Dublin brothers Patrick and Paul Hyland, cruiserweight, John O’Brien, also from Dublin, and 6’7” Scott Belshaw from Belfast who is unbeaten and has knocked out all six of his opponents.

Belshaw, who is managed by Frank Moloney, will be relaunching his career in Cork after an horrific traffic accident that almost cost him his life.

But the man everyone wants to see is the new “Rebel”, Cuban Mike “El Rebellio” Perez who is set to make his Irish debut on the bill.

Perez was in Roddy Collins’ Gym in Dublin this week sparring Belshaw, Jon O’Brien and former national senior heavyweight champion, Ian Timms. Timms did not defend his Irish senior title at last week’s national championships where the vacant title went to the Clonmel sensation, Con Sheehan, who also won the Best Boxer award.

Meanwhile, six of the 10 Irish boxers going forward to the final Olympic qualifiers for Europeans in Pescara (Italy) and Athens this spring must reach the finals in one of the two tournaments to secure Olympic places.

Irish captain Ken Egan, Con Sheehan, Cathal McMonagle, Ross Hickey, John Joe Joyce and Shane Cox must reach the finals in either the first qualifying tournament in Pescara or the final qualifying tournament for Europeans in Athens. A semi-final finish could suffice for Darren Sutherland, John Joe Nevin, and Roy Sheahan in Pescara and Athens.

Irish Squad: 48Kg: Paddy Barnes (Holy Family) 51Kg: Shane Cox (Gorey) 54Kg: John Joe Nevin (Cavan) 57Kg: David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s Athy) 60Kg: Ross Hickey (Grangecon) 64Kg: John Joe Joyce (St Michael’s Athy) 69Kg: Roy Sheahan (St Michael’s Athy) 75Kg: Darren Sutherland (St Saviours OBA) 81Kg: Ken Egan (Neilstown) 91Kg: Con Sheehan (Clonmel) 91+Kg: Cathal McMonagle (Holy Trinity).