‘Fitzer’ faces major battle for Euro belt

ANTHONY FITZGERALD was handed the opportunity of a lifetime with a shot at the EBA European middleweight title as chief support bout to the Guillermo Rigondeaux-Willie Casey WBA title fight at City West on March 19 but he was also handed a difficult opponent in Affif Belghecham.

Fight fans will remember Belghecham’s barnstorming finish against Andy Lee in Limerick in November of 2009 which had the Limerick southpaw on the back foot for much of the last round. The decision went to Lee with the former European Union middleweight champion bemoaning the fact that he had left his onslaught so late.

Belghecham had spent most of the fight trying to lure Lee on to the ropes, but his opponent was having none of it and evaded the big bombs until the closing minutes.

He will have no problem luring “Fitzer” into a fight for the Dubliner is prone to battling it out at close range and Belghecham will relish that type of fight.

“When I was offered the fight we did not need to dwell long on a decision,” the Frenchman said. “I have bad memories of my fight with Andy (Lee) and would like to avenge that defeat by beating Fitzgerald in Dublin.”

The WBA have added extra spice to the contest by confirming the winner will be promoted to the top 15 in the World Rankings.

“We have said all along that this year was going to be my year and here we are fighting for the European title,” Fitzgerald said.

“A win and I’m up into the top 15 and I’m not going to pass up an opportunity like that.

“After that who knows, all I’m looking at is him and that title and nothing else, March 19 will silence a lot of critics I hope.”

Irish coach of the year, Philip Sutcliffe, admitted that it was a big assignment for Fitzgerald but he was adamant he is ready for it and that he expects him to be Ireland’s next European champion.

“Anto has been world class in the gym,” he said. “We are going on the world stage now and we’re going to take anybody who wants to take us on.

“He’s had the best preparation for this fight and fans in City West can expect to see a different animal between those ropes — this is Anto’s chance and there’s going to be no stopping him.”

The scheduled meeting of Alexi Acosta Collada and Paul Hyland will not now take place although the Cork-based Cuban will still box on the undercard against an opponent to be named.