Dunne deal: Bernard set to face ‘Banbino’

BERNARD DUNNE faces his first world ranked opponent for his date with destiny at the Breaffy HouseResort in Castlebar on November 15.

Mexican Eduardo ‘Banbino’ Garcia is poised to provide the Dubliner with an acid test of his world title credentials and should Dunne come through he will put himself in line for a world title shot.

Garcia has a pretty impressive record that features many of the top names in the bantamweight/superbantamweight area. His last outing was against Olivier Lontchi in his own back yard in Rama, Ontaria for the NABA super-bantamweight title and he came away with a draw.

He beat Nick Otieno in Ekaterinburg in defence of his IBF bantamweight title, having stopped Sebastien Gauthier in the fourth round in Rama to win the title in his previous contest.

He lost to Aobuo Nashiro in a thrilling WBA super flyweight title fight in Osaka two years ago.

“I was surprised to get the call for this fight because I have proved again and again that I can travel to a fighters backyard and spoil the party,” Garcia said. “In fact in my last three fights I have upset the local fighter and I plan to do the same again in Ireland. Dunne is also a world rated fighter so after I beat him I hope that will be good enough to make me a mandatory challenger for the world title. I know I won’t make any mistakes second time around.’’

“It’s obviously a risk,’’ Dunne’s manager Brian Peters admitted. “But we’re hoping that it will prove a calculated one because it is effectively a world title eliminator. We wanted a world ranked fighter for Bernard and we’ve got one and this guy is a real live wire. If I’m honest he wouldn’t have been the first choice on our list, but guys like Oliver Lontchi, Bryan Vazquez, Gary Stark, Sergio Medina and Ceferino Labarda all turned down the fight.”

An action packed supporting line-up is headed by local hero Henry “The Western Warrior” Coyle, who faces Birmingham’s Delroy “Sweet D” Mitchell, while another intriguing match-up will see Lurgan welterweight Stephen Haughian look to avenge last years controversial IBF Inter Continental title defeat to Italy’s Giamario Grassellini.

Also in action is Galway born welterweight prospect John O’Donnell, as he looks to continue his impressive recent form. Tyrone’s Damian Taggart also features alongside Irish-Canadian lightweight prospect Logan McGuinness, while Brendan Ingle’s latest protégé, Steve Barnes makes his pro debut.