Haughian hoping home advantage will help dethrone Walsh

CORKMAN Billy Walsh was peeved by the fact that some people thought he was ducking Stephen Haughian who had been eyeing his Irish title, so it was hardly surprising that he jumped at the opportunity when Haughian laid down the challenge.

Tonight they battle it out at Craigavon Leisure Centre which is as near to the Lurgan’s back-yard as he could hope for.

“To be fighting so close to home is a dream come true, and to fight for the Irish title is the icing on the cake,” Haughian said.

Haughian’s only up close and personal look at Walsh came when he appeared on the Leesider’s undercard in Cork two years ago and he says he saw enough to know he can win.

Walsh got off to the best possible start in the title fight with James Gorman, but the Belfast man came back strongly in the later rounds before the Shanagarry man ran out the winner on a close points decision.

“It was a real crowd pleasing fight,” recalled Walsh. “But I was very weight drained for that fight. Even though it was for the welterweight title we had an agreement that we’d both come in well under the weight to suit James but I overdid it and was far too light.”

In fact ‘Billy Boy’ ended up a pound over light welter and it really took its toll in the last round or two when he was gritting his teeth to hang on. Yesterday the champion weighed in at the more comfortable weight of 10 st 6 lbs 2 ozs with Haughian four ounces heavier at 10 st 6 lbs 6 ozs.

Haughian is looking forward to the challenge, insisting Walsh, whose fight is built around a whirlwind of stinging punches, will suit him.

“He’s the kind of guy that just comes out swinging,” Haughian said. “He doesn’t take a backward step so it should be a good fight. He has a decent right hand and a good left hook and I’m sure he’ll start fast but I’m confident and my preparations couldn’t have gone any better so I’ll be ready for whatever he brings.”

Walsh is quietly confident ahead of the first defence of his title and former two-weight World Champ Vinny Pazienza has already made it known that he’s a fan of the Cork man.

Pazienza, who was known as the ‘Pazmanian Devil’ during his fighting days is familiar with Walsh from his time in the US.

Coincidentally both Walsh, whose father Maurice was a pro football and baseball player, and Pazienza were born in Rhode Island.

Pazienza enjoyed a glorious career that included an amazing comeback from a broken neck suffered in a car accident and, since retiring in 2004 he has concentrated on TV work and he likes what he’s seen of Walsh.

“I like Billy, he’s just a naturally tough guy who comes out banging. He’s got some boxing skills but he’s a tough SOB to go with it. He looks really good, has tons of ability and has a lot of amateur experience too. He’s known as ‘Billy Boy’ but I think they should change his nickname to ‘Hammerin’ Billy Walsh because he throws tons of punches and is heavy handed.”

Two-weight Irish champ, Andy Murray from Cavan, heads the undercard as he looks to stretch his unbeaten professional run to 14 straight fights while Belfast’s Kevin ‘Sweet Pea’ O’Hara is also in action along with unbeaten light welterweight Michael Kelly and popular Omagh prospect, Damian Taggart.