Big puncher Acosta ready for battle with seasoned Machado

THE emphasis will be on the four Irish title fights on the bill, but Cork-based Cuban knockout sensation, Alexei Acosta, is sure to claim a fair share of the limelight when he steps up in class to box former world champion, Felix Machado, in a unique Latin-American duel on the Yanjing Fight Night at the National Stadium tomorrow night.

Machado will be a name familiar to Irish fight fans, having faced Bernard Dunne in 2008 in the Dubliner’s first bout back after his sensational loss to Kiko Martinez.

The Venezuelan southpaw lost on points over 10 rounds to Dunne then, but he will be hoping for better luck against Acosta who has so far KO’d all nine of his professional opponents.