Showtime makes Dunne offer he can’t refuse

BEN DUNNE faces the biggest assignment of his boxing career to date when he goes national for his eighth professional fight at the Mountaineer Racetrack and Gaming Resort, in Chester, West Virginia, tomorrow night.

Dunne, 23, was scheduled for a break after his first round demolition of Terrell Hargrove, who manager Brian Peters felt would take them the distance. But, within days of that spectacular first round K.O. they were contacted by Showtime chief Jay Larkin who told them they wanted to put him in the No 2 slot on Friday.

“Offers like this don’t come every day. You have to go chasing them. It was just too good to turn down,” Peters said. The fight will be the first eight-rounder of Dunne’s professional career and Peters insists it is a one off and he will revert back to the six-round distance. “Ray (Leonard), his trainer Freddie Roach and myself have discussed the situation and, while the temptation is always there, we are anxious not to rush things.” “Showtime specifically asked that Ben do an eight rounder for this one as they want to open the televised part of the card with Ben as a means of promoting him with the boxing public.

“That sort of exposure is unheard of for a seven-fight rookie unless he’s an Olympic gold medallist and an American one at that, it is too good to pass up.” His opponent, Mario Lacey, 23, from Pritchard, Alabama, has a record of five wins, three draws and only one defeat in his 10-fight professional career. “He is an interesting opponent,” the Dunshaughlin businessman, who has managed the talented Dubliner since he joined the paid ranks, insisted. “This boy has all the credentials and, like Ben, he is young, enthusiastic and has a lot of ambition. We are all very excited about the prospects.

“Ben is in super shape right now and the fight could not have come at a better time,” he added.