Dunne poised for big shot

BERNARD DUNNE can fulfil every boxer’s dream by becoming world champion tonight but he will have to produce the performance of his life if he is to strip the WBA world super bantamweight title from Ricardo “El Maestrito” Cordoba before a sell-out crowd at The 02 in Dublin.

There was an air of anticipation at yesterday’s weigh-in at which Dunne tipped the scales 10 ounces heavier than the champion — 8st 9 lbs 14 ozs to 8 st 9 lbs 4 ozs. Neither boxer had much to say but Dunne said he knew what he is going to do and how he is going to do it.

“This is the big one but I’m the underdog so there’s no real pressure on me,” he said. “I have everything to gain and he has everything to lose. The atmosphere in The O2 is going to be fantastic and that will help me.”

And that should please the sell-out crowd of 9,000 fans who have dug deep to support Dunne — the first Dubliner to fight for a world title in his native city.

In the past the worrying aspect about Dunne’s performance has been the fact that he takes a breather in the middle rounds. As part of his preparations for this fight he brought Mike McGurn, a strength and conditioning expert, into his team and from all accounts that has worked wonders not just with his strength but with his stamina.

Cordoba also has a problem to overcome — he has never won outside of Panama and that could play on his mind — but he insisted yesterday that he, too, is in the best shape of his life.

“The title is coming back to Panama with me,” he said. “I have worked too hard to become world champion to just throw it all away. I’m very confident and I feel in great shape. In fact the last time I felt as good before a fight was when I beat Celestino Caballero back in 2004 so Bernard Dunne is in a lot of trouble.”

Andy Lee will top the undercard when he meets the German middleweight, Alex Sipos, over 10 rounds. The Limerick southpaw was one of those left without a fight when the Irish Ropes promoters cancelled Monday night’s card at Madison Square Garden but he gets his chance here against a tough opponent. They sparred at a training camp last year and know each other well.

Katie Taylor will make her first live television appearance when she renews rivalry with Caroline Barry.

When the pair met in the first round of the world championships in New Delhi a couple of years ago the Bray woman stopped her opponent on the 15 point rule and went on to win the first of her two world titles.

Tonight’s full card

WBA World Super Bantamweight Title (12 Rounds): Bernard Dunne v Ricardo Cordoba (Panama).

International Middleweight (10 Rounds): Andy Lee v Alex Sipos.

Lightweight (4 Rounds Amateur Bout): Katie Taylor v Caroline Barry.

European Union Lightweight Title (12 rounds): Andy Murray v Daniel Rasilla.

International Middleweight (10 rounds) Jim Rock v Alessio Furlan.

Lightweight (3 rounds, amateur bout): Ray Moylette v Rob Gorman.

Light Flyweight (3 rounds, amateur bout): Paddy Barnes v Paul Kayes.

International Lightweight (4 rounds): Michael Kelly v Valentins Morozovs.

International Middleweight (4 rounds): Anthony Fitzgerald v Janis Chernouskis.