Macklin hoping for showdown with Lee

Matthew Macklin is hoping his Dublin return on August 30 will set up Ireland’s answer to Froch-Groves II before the end of the year.

The 32-year-old was unveiled yesterday as the latest signing in Eddie Hearn’s burgeoning Matchroom stable, with his debut for them set for the National Stadium next month, against an as yet unnamed opponent.

Hearn was the brains behind the record-breaking show at Wembley between Carl Froch and George Groves on May 31 and Macklin is excited to be working with the young promoter. The former Irish middleweight champion also thinks Hearn is the best man to cultivate the rivalry between himself and Limerick’s Andy Lee, with both men desperate to meet in an all-Irish show. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, Macklin said: “We saw what Eddie did at Wembley for Froch-Groves and I think Lee and me would be the Irish version of that. If it happens this side of Christmas it won’t be outdoors but if it is next summer we could do it in a stadium.