Dunne eyeing Thai rematch
The Dubliner claimed the title with a stunning stoppage win over Ricardo Cordoba in May, only to lose it in his very first defence, against his Thai challenger Kratingdaenggym just six months later.
There has been speculation Dunne might decide to call time on his career on the back of his devastating third-round knockout defeat.
In addition, promoter Brian Peters recently stated that even if Dunne did return, a rematch with Kratingdaenggym was not on the agenda.
However, Dunne, speaking at the Texaco Sports Stars of the Year Awards in Dublin last night, revealed he would like to box on.
“If you can’t accept defeat, you shouldn’t be involved in sport. It’s how you deal with it that’s the main thing.
“On that night, Poonsawat had my number, there’s no doubt about that,” the Neilstown native admitted.
“The guy’s a hell of a fighter but I’d like to think that I could reverse the result next time around. There’s no doubt that I gave it my best shot that night.
“I tried to hold him, I tried to push him back, I tried to run, I tried to box him but on that night he was the better man but there’s a fine line between winning and losing in boxing and I’d back myself in a rematch; second time lucky!
“It’s the one fight I’d love to get on.”
Dunne explained, though, that he has yet to make any firm decision on his future. He did, however, confirm a step up in weight, to featherweight, is a distinct possibility if he does lace up his gloves again. “I haven’t seen sat down and discussed the future with Brian since the fight but I’m here with my trainer Harry Hawkins tonight and we’re going to have a good chat, so we’ll see what comes of that. We could decide to continue at super-bantam or step up to featherweight.
“But who knows what’ll happen? You haven’t seen the last of me one way or another.”
While Dunne was recognised for his achievements in the ring at the Texaco Sports Star of the Year Awards, there were several other gongs handed out.
In Gaelic Games, Tomás O Se was rewarded for the integral role he played in Kerry’s All-Ireland success, while Kilkenny’s Tommy Walsh collected the hurling award after picking up his fifth championship medal in September.
The rugby award went to Brian O’Driscoll, who led Ireland to a historic 6 Nations Grand Slam before playing his part in Leinster’s first ever Heineken Cup triumph.
Less than 24 hours after the World Cup play-off agony of Saint Denis, Republic of Ireland defender John O’Shea was able to take some consolation in being awarded the soccer prize for his exploits over the past 11 months with not only his country, but also Manchester United.
Elsewhere, John Oxx and Michael Kinane were jointly honoured after teaming up with the majestic Sea The Stars to re-write horse racing’s record books, while Olive Loughnane added the athletics award to the World Championship silver medal she won in the 20km walk in Beijing during the summer.
The prodigious golfing talent that is Rory McIlroy was saluted for his fantastic form this year but was unable to attend the ceremony as he is currently in Dubai attempting to win the Order of Merit title.
Meanwhile, a new award, the Texaco Young Spors Star of the Year, went to Wexford’s Grainne Murphy, who won three gold medals at the European Junior Swimming Champions, while the legendary Kilkenny hurler Eddie Keher was inducted into the Hall of Fame.
