Late change of opponent for Dunne

Former British and European champion Noel Wilders has been forced to pull out of Friday night's IBC Super Bantamweight title fight against undefeated Dubliner Bernard Dunne.

Wilders' place on the National Stadium, Dublin bill has been taken by his stable mate Sean Hughes - a fellow southpaw.

Wilders' manager Michael Marsden said: "Preparations just did not go well for Noel - it was a great opportunity for him but he's been struggling with some niggling injuries and was having problems making the weight.

"He just hasn't looked sharp enough in training either and although he was contemplating going through with the fight I told him that Dunne was far too dangerous an opponent to be meeting at anything less than 100%.

"Sean's been in training for an English Super Bantamweight title shot so this is a perfect opportunity for him and one he's determined to take. He's been looking very good in the gym recently and the chance to take on Dunne for the IBC title is one he's relishing," he added.

Dunne's promoter Brian Peters has admitted the late change of opponent could make things difficult for the 25-year-old Neilstown native, who boasts a 16 (9 Kos)-0-0 record.

"When I was told Wilders had pulled out obviously it was a concern but in Hughes I've managed to secure a quality replacement for Bernard. He's a southpaw like Wilders but at 23 he's younger probably far hungrier than Wilders at this point in his career," said Meath man Peters.

"However I don't think he'll have experienced anything like the atmosphere Bernard's fights generate at the National Stadium. It really is something else."

"I have big plans for Bernard but he will have to be careful on Friday night because a hungry fighter is a very dangerous fighter and I'm told Hughes was desperate to step in for Wilders."

Friday night's card will be the first time that two Dubliners have fought for World titles on the same night. While Dunne and Hughes will go head to head for the vacant IBC Super Bantamweight title, Jim Rock will look to avenge his 2003 defeat to Alan Jones and pick up the IBC Middleweight crown.

The show, which also features Belfast middleweight Brian Magee, is already sold out but RTE will carry live coverage of both title fights, starting on RTE 2 at 10.30pm.

The full "World Title Fight Night" card is as follows:

Bernard Dunne v Sean Hughes - IBC Super Bantamweight Title

Jim Rock v Alan Jones - IBC Middleweight Title

Brian Magee v Varuzhan Davtyan

Paul Griffin v John Bothwell

Oisin Fagan v Richard Scifo

Paul Hyland v Peter Feher

Stephen Haughian v Daniel Thorpe