BoxRec

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport ... 00412.html

McCloskey vacates British title

Thursday, 14 May 2009

Paul McCloskey yesterday gave up his British light-welterweight title as he pursues European glory.

The European Boxing Union have ordered McCloskey and Frenchman Souleymane M’Baye to box for the vacant title after former champion Junior Witter pulled out due to a potential world title bid.

McCloskey is unconcerned that he has to face M’Baye, even though he is a former WBA world champion.

McCloskey said: “I’ve said for some time that I don’t care who I face. I’m ready for big fights against whoever they want to put me in against.

“I was looking forward to the fight with Witter but now that’s not happening I’m not bothered. Fighting M’Baye is the kind of challenge that I’m really up for. I know I can beat the very best out there.”

Purse bids for the mouthwatering fight must be lodged by May 26 and promoter Brian Peters believes he can bring the clash to Belfast.

“It’s a natural fight for the King’s Hall and we’ll do our best to bring it there but we know that the French will be bidding big,” said Peters.

Following the opening of the purse bids, the fight will have to be staged within 90 days.

What y'all think?

McCloskey wins, is what i think

In Belfast McCloskey would have a very good chance of winning.

McCloskey for me.

Who'll fight for the belt he's given up?

Barry Morrison maybe worth a shout?

M'Baye is still a decent opponent, because I had him beating Ngoudjo, but apparently he struggled with the guy Kell Brook smashed for the British belt (although, I am yet to see that fight).

McCloskey MD for me in this one.

And what's going on with Branco? Is he trying to get one, big, last payday for a world title?

Witter v Lynes II for the British belt?

hendrix_lennon wrote:McCloskey for me.

Who'll fight for the belt he's given up?

Barry Morrison maybe worth a shout?

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/boxing ... erpool.php

maybe they could get 2 weight world champion Lee McAllister back up to 140... hasn't he got plans though?

Counter-puncher wrote:maybe they could get 2 weight world champion Lee McAllister back up to 140... hasn't he got plans though?

fighting for commonwelth LW strap vacated by khan

M'Baye lost to Gavin Rees and I can't see him beating Mc Closkey. Hopefully we get this fight in Dublin but I would imagine the Odyessy Arena will probably be the venue if Brian Peters wins the purse bids.

I have to fancy McCloskey here. Watched M''Baye at the Excel I think it was in his last fight and he didnt impress me too much. Add the fact he lost the WBA belt to Rees, I just think the younger McCloskey will win it.

Since when has M'Baye been promoted by the French again? Doesnt Warren promote him?

Hopefully it will be in Belfast anyway

I think McCloskey will win M'Baye is a fighter i dont really rate that highly McCloskey should have to much for him

Agree that McCloskey should win this as the fresher and hungrier man.

Mcloskey to win this i love the way he makes people frustrated and knows when to spoil

DavidPayne wrote:Witter v Lynes II for the British belt?

would be nice if it did happen

M'baye is better than u all give him credit for, he's just a lunatic, I still dont understand why he barely threw any punches vs Rees. Yet he beat Kotelnik.

brian13 wrote:M'Baye lost to Gavin Rees and I can't see him beating Mc Closkey. Hopefully we get this fight in Dublin but I would imagine the Odyessy Arena will probably be the venue if Brian Peters wins the purse bids.

actually Peters prefers to have the fights down south for tax reasons

Hopefully Peters will win the bids and stage it at the King's Hall in Belfast. As Sligo rightly points out, the fights are often moved down south for tax reasons but I think it sells better in Belfast to be honest. I expect Paul to win but it may not be as clear cut as people think. M'Baye looked poor last time out and blows hot and cold, but he's decent and could take advantage of McCloskey's quiet periods in fights.

Think purse bids are May 26th? It could end up in France remember

If the M'Baye that came into the ring against Rees turns up then McCloskey should win it hands down

What's happened to Branco then?

sligobhoy67 wrote:

brian13 wrote:M'Baye lost to Gavin Rees and I can't see him beating Mc Closkey. Hopefully we get this fight in Dublin but I would imagine the Odyessy Arena will probably be the venue if Brian Peters wins the purse bids.

actually Peters prefers to have the fights down south for tax reasons

Even better the 02 seems the venue then because Mc Closkey would comfortably sell out the National Stadium but it maybe in the NBA.

dtjenkins wrote:What's happened to Branco then?

My guess is that he give it up to fight for a world title. He must be looking for a massive payday, because against Tolpolla, he looked shot to shit. And he looked bad in the Lynes fight too, and Lynes got stopped off McCloskey. Branco is bobbins.

dtjenkins wrote:What's happened to Branco then?

Moved up to Welterweight

I really hope this will be in Belfast, i'll be making the trip back from australia for it :)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/boxing/8091922.stm

McCloskey gets Euro title fight

Paul McCloskey collected the British light welterweight title in December
Paul McCloskey will take on former world champion Souleymane M'baye for the vacant European light-welterweight title in France on 3 July.

The Dungiven man is happy to travel to M'baye's hometown of Levallois-Perret in the Paris suburbs for the fight.

"Paris is a beautiful city and I hope it will be a beautiful night with me lifting the European title," he said.

"When the first bell goes it'll be just me, him and the referee in that ring so the crowd won't have any affect on me."

McCloskey is unbeaten in 19 fights and retained his British light-welterweight title with victory over Dean Harrison in Widnes in March.

His trainer John Breen is equally confident of victory, despite conceding home advantage.

"They made us a very, very good offer to go to France but Paul's one of those guys who has no problems going into the lion's den," said Breen.

"They could fight in M'baye's front room as far as I'm concerned and Paul would still beat him.

"I've said all along he's a world champion in the making and he'll prove that again by winning a European title on the road."

Paul is going to hae to win well now, I know he can do it