Boxing returns to Cork City Hall

Following the success of February's sell-out show at the City Hall, professional boxing returns to Cork on Saturday, August 18 for the 'Battle on Leeside'.

Local businessman Gary Hyde says he is delighted to be delivering on his promise to make boxing a regular fixture on the Cork sporting scene.

"I said before my first show that this would not be just a one off so I'm delighted to be bringing a second show to the City Hall next month," Hyde explained.

"It's a fantastic venue, full of history, and I know how much people enjoyed our first promotion and this next one promises to be even better."

Once again the storied old venue will play host to some of the best Irish pro fighters including Cork's very own Billy Walsh.

Also included on the card is reigning Irish light heavyweight champion Jason McKay, former World title challenger Neil Sinclair, unbeaten KO specialist Patrick Hyland and Irish heavyweight hope Declan Timlin.

Former amateur star Walsh will look to extend his unbeaten professional record to four straight wins and press his claims for an Irish title fight in what will be his first eight-rounder.

McKay is another man with big fights on his mind. The Banbridge man was the last man to beat unbeaten middleweight sensation John Duddy when the two met in the amateur ranks.

Now he is hoping to repeat that feat in the pro game and a win in Cork could set him up for a Duddy showdown.

Neil Sinclair will be looking to follow up on February's win in Cork with another victory at the City Hall.

Sinclair's exciting shootout with Francis Jones at the Point in Dublin last month ended in defeat for the hard-punching Belfast man, but he is determined to prove his critics wrong and the road back to title contention starts in Cork.

Dublin featherweight Patrick Hyland is not one to hang around either. The 23-year-old improved his record to 8-0 (including three knockouts) at the National Stadium earlier this month.

Another unbeaten Irishman on the card is Mayo heavyweight Declan Timlin. The Rossport bruiser started his career in New York and racked up three straight wins before making his Irish debut at the National Stadium earlier this month where he made it four victories on the trot.

Promoter Hyde says it is a night not to be missed.

"We have some of the cream of Irish talent fighting on this show with Cork favourites like Neil Sinclair and Jason McKay, who is one of the leading middleweights in Europe right now.

"Then you have the stars of the future like young Patrick Hyland on the card and of course not forgetting the city's own Billy Walsh," Hyde added.

"As well as the boxing, there will be music from George Murphy and his band so it promises to be a great night out.

"I know a lot of people came up to me after the last one who said they wouldn't consider themselves as boxing fans but they told me that they never enjoyed a night out so much. The atmosphere in the City Hall was electric and I think next month's show will top that again."

Tickets for the 'Battle on Leeside' are priced at €60 and €70 and are available now from www.ticketmaster.ie and all usual Ticketmaster outlets.