Cuban stars can boost reputations in Dublin

CORK’S adopted Cubans, Luis Garcia and Alexei Acosta, can speed their progress up the professional boxing rankings over the coming weeks with back-to-back appearances on the European title fight undercards at the National Stadium tomorrow night and then Letterkenny on October 2.

Tomorrow night’s Hunky Dorys Fight Night card is headlined by a European title double-header that will see Brian Magee make the first defence of his super middleweight title against Roman Aramian while Kiko “La Sensacion” Martinez returns to Dublin to try and reclaim his old European super bantamweight crown which now lies vacant following the departure of Rendall Munroe. That clash will feature another Armenian, Arsen Martyrosian.

Garcia and Acosta are two of a trio of undefeated Cuban sensations now based in Cork – all of them former world junior champions in the amateur ranks. The third is heavyweight Mike Perez who has been forced off tomorrow night’s card due to illness. All three are unbeaten and tipped for big things in the pro ranks.