Unbeaten Moore headlines ‘Gaelic Storm’ line-up

JAMES MOORE will headline the show labelled “Gaelic Storm” at the Madison Square Garden Theatre on March 15 and Oisín Fagan, has been handed the opportunity to put his disappointment of the USBA title fight behind him with confirmation that he has been included on the bill.

Moore was one of Ireland’s greatest amateurs and he has carried all that class with him into the paid ranks where he has notched up an impressive 14-0 record that matched the likes of Andy Lee up until the weekend before last.

While his career has been somewhat overshadowed by Lee and John Duddy the fact that he will top the bill on March 19 is indicative of the esteem which he has won himself in New York.

He will fight Freddy Curiel (18-6-2), from the hit TV show, ‘The Contender’ and with Curiel fighting out of New Jersey, that is sure to create some added rivalry with Moore, now based in NYC.

Fagan did not have a spectacular amateur career and it was only after he went to the US on a soccer scholarship that he nurtured his interest in boxing. Since then, however, he has blossomed into a value for money fighter with a record of 20 wins (12 KO’s) and just five losses.

One of those losses was a controversial disputed split decision for the USBA lightweight title and he has made it clear that he wants his rematch with IBC, IBA, NABA and USBA title holder, Verquan Kimbrough, for any, or all, of his belts.

“I won that last fight with Verquan in December- he knows it- his hometown fans know it- and it’s been written about so much, that the whole world now knows it! Let’s see if he’ll come out of his comfort zone and fight me in New York City,” Fagan, an elementary school teacher, said.

Fagan added: “There’s no doubt that our last bout was a great fight, but in the end I was bitterly disappointed with the decision. He was taken to the hospital after the fight, while I went out partying, so surely, that’s got to tell you something.

“Honestly though, I can’t see him stepping up to the plate to take this fight. However, let the record show that the offer is still there.... all he has to do is get in touch and the fight is on!”

Meanwhile he is looking forward to taking his place on this annual Irish card at Madison Square Garden Theatre against an opponent to be named.