Dunne aiming to be just as good as a pro
The star-studded bill at the National Stadium on February 19 is promoted by Brian Peters Promotions and RTE will televise the show.
“I have been waiting for this opportunity since I turned professional,” Dunne told a press conference yesterday.
The Dubliner, who turns 25 on February 6, was unbeaten in this country as an amateur and wants to maintain that record as a professional.
His opponent for the February 19 showdown is Jim Betts, a 27 year old featherweight from Tickhill who has an 18-3 record and has boxed for the British and Commonwealth titles.
“He is a very credible opponent and I would expect a big performance from him,” Dunne insisted. “He has been a pro since 1998.” Dunne’s last fight was a bruising 10 rounder against Adrian Valdez in St Paul last August which he won on points.
“Valdez has since knocked out the former WBC champion, Soto, in the first round and he beat another top contender in three. So it was good to beat him.
“I have another offer but I have put that on hold because I wanted to box in Dublin and I felt that if I had two or three more fights in the States it would be difficult to come back.
“Now I am back and I hope the fans will come out in force. I guarantee they will not be disappointed.”
That was the word also, from Francis Barrett. The Olympian has not boxed here since he turned professional in the summer of 2000. He has won 16 of his 18 professional bouts and is the current European Community light welterweight champion and will defend that title for a second time in March.
“I am also ranked fourth for a European title fight and I would like to think that will come about this year. If it does I have told my manager I want it to be at Pearse Stadium in Galway. It would draw 20,000 people,” he said.
“I have always felt bad about the fact that I did not box as a professional in Ireland but now I have the opportunity. I hope the fans will come out to see us.”
Dubliner Jim Rock is also on the bill, as is new professional Paul Hyland who won his first professional fight against Janos Gari by virtue of a second round stoppage.
He is currently sparring with the European champion, Nicky Cooke, and Bernard Dunne has the Englishman’s title in his sights.
“A European title would be a natural progression for Bernard,” Dunne’s manager Brian Peters said. “I would like to think that he will win that before going back to the US.”
Jim Rock will defend his Irish super-middleweight title against Peter Jackson who qualifies for a shot at the title under the parentage rule.
Rock hopes that this will be the start of a build up to a shot at the WBU title. “I would need two or three fights before that. If I don’t succeed I will probably retire. I am quite busy right now,” he said.
Meanwhile Bernard Dunne will leave for Belfast on Monday to train under Harry Hawkins but he will be trained by the famed Freddie Roach.
“Freddie is the man,” he said. “But he is busy and the moment and can’t come over. But I have trained with Harry before and their methods run parallel.”
