BoxRec

From boxing central.

Promoter Barry Hearn has backed Brian Magee to become a major force at super-middleweight after he successfully defended his IBO 168lb crown in front of his home-town fans last Saturday night. Magee's French challenger Hacine Cherifi was retired on his stool after eight rounds at the Kings Hall in Belfast as the 28 year-old Irishman extended his unbeaten record.

"We'll bring Brian back here in March and we're looking to match him with Omar Sheika who has proven himself at world level", said Hearn.

"The ultimate target is WBC super-middleweight champion Marcus Beyer and a win against Sheika would be another step towards that goal.

"And with the Belfast public getting behind Brian the way they have been, I can see the possibility of bringing the Beyer fight to Belfast".

Magee, who should now be ranked in the WBC's top ten, was delighted with his night's work: "I knew he was a world class fighter and he has a great chin so I decided to work to the body. That was the game plan and it paid off.

"The atmosphere was fantastic and the fans really got me going. Hopefully we will be back again in the New Year."

Skeika would be a good opponent for Magee at this stage. Skeika is still strong but has been exposed on several occasions. He's still a name and would undoubtedly be Magee toughest fight to date.

This should see what he is made off and how far he can go. I'll be on my way to William Hill putting some money of Omar I think.

I think Sheika is made for Magee. Magee's essentially a counter puncher and Sheika would just run straight into his punches, his defence is atrocious.

Seen plenty of Sheika - he is a product of hype. A face first banger who will be dealt with handily by Magee. Ideal step up fight and a name to get the Irishman recognition Stateside.

Undoubtedly Sheika is more hype than substance, I mean even a shot Thomas Tate could handle him. However, he's undoubtedly a banger, still (agewise) not considered past it. Judging by his efforts against Pendleton I still think he's hungry and ambitious.

Magee needs a stepping stone from the likes of Cherifi and Thysse to true world class. Glenn Cateley wouldn't be a bad option, but in reality he is going through a bad patch which is possibly worst than Sheika's. I think through his punch power Sheika will answer a few more questions about Magee than Cateley. Magee DOESN'T appear to be the hardest person to hit - if Magee has to grit it outs a points win over Sheika then his chin will pass the test.

If Magee does a number on Sheika, then he would have shown his boxing skills are world class. Only Lucus and Calzaghe have taken him to school - he's even beaten Glencoffe Johnson!!