Unbeaten Dunne ready for classy Ukranian

BERNARD DUNNE faces the toughest challenge of his boxing career against Ukranian southpaw, Yuri Voronin, at the National Stadium on May 14.

Dunne, who stopped Jim Betts in five rounds in his last Dublin appearance on February 19, is relishing the difficult bout.

"It is a big step up in class against a guy who has only lost one of his last 14 fights and that was to Mzonke Fana on points in South Africa," he said.

"He is ranked No 8 in Europe and he has stopped 11 of 27 opponents and has never been stopped himself."

Manager/Promoter Brian Peters agrees that Voronin represents a huge step up in class for the Dublin featherweight but a vital step in his career.

"This is a serious fighter ­ probably the best fighter that Bernard has come up against," he said. "He turned pro back in 1999 and has an impressive record ­ 27 fights, 23 wins, one draw and three losses."

Dunne also has an impressive record ­ unbeaten in 15 professional fights and has never lost a bout in Ireland. It's a statistic he intends to keep intact.

"I have watched him and was quite impressive he is classy, has a big punch and is very patient.

"But he comes forward and that will suit me. I like to pick a man off when he comes in. The fact that he is a southpaw won't bother me. I have sparred with some really good southpaws in the US."

Dunne spent a spell training under his father, Brendan, a former Olympic boxer before returning to the Belfast gym under Harry Hawkins.

Meanwhile Andrew Murray, who won three national senior titles as an amateur, will have his second professional bout against an opponent to be named.

"He is in such a hurry. The problem is getting him to slow down. He is one of those value for money boxers who can't wait to get on with the job. But he is strong and fit as well as being eager and from that point of view he is a dream to work with," manager, Michael Helliet said.

Matthew Macklin will celebrate his 23rd birthday when he takes on Roddy Doran from Shrewsbury for the middleweight championship.

Dubliner Robbie Murray will box Alan Temple from Hartlepool for the vacant Irish light-welterweight championship. But he insisted yesterday that he wants to fight Francis Barrett.

"I know Francie will want this title but unfortunately negotiations broke down this time," he said. "But I know he will not want anyone else to have it."

Oscar Milkitas (Lithuania), who lost narrowly to Barrett, returns to box Darren Melville (London and Belfast) over six rounds, while Ciaran Duffy from Donegal, who won four of his five professional fights and drew the other is awaiting a welterweight opponent.