Galway boxer has Geller in his corner

Galway man Peter McDonagh is leaving no stone unturned in his preparations for his Irish lightweight title fight with Michael Gomez on January 28.

The 28-year-old McDonagh, who lives in Bermondsey, has sought the assistance of world famous paranormalist Uri Geller ahead of his National Stadium clash with Gomez.

Geller explained: "Peter approached me on a flight (to London) and we had a good conversation. He is a very interesting and talented young man and he told me all about his fight with Gomez.

"I explained to him how I had helped Muhammad Ali decades ago and told him I could help do the same for him. What I do is to help motivate and inspire people like Peter and give them the self belief they need.

"It s all about mental attitude. I told Peter that I believe in him but he also has to believe in himself," he added.

"After our conversation I became involved with Peter's training for this fight. I have brainstormed with him and he is very open minded. He believes in positive thinking and has been able to absorb things very quickly.

"It's all about developing the energy of the mind and getting Peter to realise his 'human potential'. That's what I help people to do."

Geller's work will undoubtedly draw comparisons with Steve Collins' use of a hypnotist prior to his upset win over Chris Eubank in 1995, but Geller rejects that.

"What I am doing with Peter is far more powerful than hypnosis. It's about getting Peter to become completely positive so that he knows it's a case of when instead of if he wins this fight."

"I m looking forward to travelling to Dublin with Peter and I will be involved with him just like any other coach. The only difference is that I am training his mind, not his body."

Manchester-based Gomez, who is a former world super featherweight champion, said of Geller's involvement with his opponent: "All I have to say is good luck to him (McDonagh) because he's going to need all the help he can get!

"I'm not sure Uri Geller will be of much use to him though because there won't be any spoons in that ring for him to bend. The only thing I plan on bending is some of McDonagh's ribs with my body punches!"

The Gomez v McDonagh fight is chief support on the night to Dubliner Bernard Dunne's first defence of his IBC super bantamweight title against Noel Wilders.