Moore hits cable TV

JAMES MOORE will be reaching out to a wider audience when he steps into the ring for his sixth professional fight in New York tonight.

The Queens-based light-middleweight and former world amateur bronze medallist from Arklow will fight a six-round contest at the Manhattan Center tonight on a card that was last night snapped up for new cable television network SportsNet New York.

SNY launched last month as the official channel of the New York Mets baseball team, broadcasting 125 of their 152-game regular season schedule.

It also has the rights to New York Jets games in the NFL and will be showing 28-year-old Moore’s fight on its first boxing show in 10 days’ time.

New York’s boxing fans may have only a brief glimpse of the Irishman, however, as Moore will be heavily backed to quickly dispose of last-minute opponent Chuck Orso.

The 26-year-old southpaw from Alabama has a win-loss record of 4-6, with his last experience in the ring coming 14 months ago, when he was knocked out by Moore’s Irish Ropes stable mate John Duddy in one minute 37 seconds of the first round.

Moore, unbeaten in his first five fights, four of them won through knockouts, will be expected to make equally short work of Orso, who was only scheduled to sign a contract for the fight at last night’s weigh-in.

Irish Ropes manager Eddie McLoughlin admitted: “It’s not going to be much of a contest I’m afraid but he was all we could get at such short notice. It’s not ideal for James but he’s getting a big reputation now and people want big money to fight him.”

McLoughlin confirmed that Moore would be making a return to the Irish ring this summer when he appears on the undercard of Bernard Dunne’s June 3 fight at the National Stadium.

Meanwhile, WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison is refusing to underestimate his next opponent, Martin Honorio, from Mexico, confirmed as the Glaswegian’s next opponent in Belfast, on May 20 - in Harrisson’s 12th world title fight.

“He could be a dangerous opponent and will try and take advantage of the late change,” said Harrison.

“I must be on my guard and I can promise there won’t be an upset.”

The Scotsman was due to defend his crown against mandatory challenger Joan Guzman, but the Dominican withdrew amid rumours he could no longer make the weight.