Irish pound for pound rankings - May 2009

sligobhoy67

Here ye go. I'd appriciate it if ye would leave a comment on the page.

The past two months have certainly proven interesting for patrons of pugilistic Paddies. Certainly March 2009 will be a month long remembered in Irish sport. Although it didn’t start particularly well as fight fans collectively rolled their cynical eyes when reports from Stateside filtered through that “Erin Go Brawl II” had been scrapped which meant six Irish and two Irish-American fighters would be potentially denied their chance to perform in what is traditionally the busiest time of year for Irish boxers. But their patience and loyalty would be repaid in full when Bernard Dunne challenged Ricardo Cordoba for the WBA super bantamweight title in what was the first fight on these shores for a recognised world title since Wayne McCullough fought Jose Luis Bueno for the WBC bantamweight title 13 years ago.

It was with a sense of hope rather than expectation that all but the most ardent of Dunne fans travelled to the newly refurbished O2 Arena in Dublin. In the lead up to the fight they had trawled through Spanish language YouTube clips and poured over Cordoba’s BoxRec page noting that he had already defeated many fighters who are superior to anything that Dunne had ever faced. Shining like a beacon on his roster was a wide points victory over current super champion Celestino Caballero during an all Panamanian Derby in 2005. The only glimmer of hope was garnered from the fact that when Cordoba travelled abroad he didn’t seem to do so well, but that was explained away as being hometown decisions against Cordoba. Long suffering followers of the sport were almost looking to have the defense already prepared to excuse an inevitable Dunne defeated.

The majority of the crowd streamed into the arena after Ireland’s rugby victory over Wales to win their first Grand Slam in over 60 years. Hearts and expectations were further lifted following good wins for Jim Rock and Andrew Murray but it was not until Katie Taylor, Ireland’s two time woman’s amateur lightweight World Champion, took to the ring that the crowd really began to buzz. During an awesome performance, against three time Pan American champion Caroline Barry of the United States, Taylor showed technique and power that would be the even of many of her male counterparts and saw her easy to 27-3 points win. Even Andy Lee’s laboured win was glossed over once the Irish Rover rang out around the packed stadium as Dunne made his way to the ring.

After the formalities were out of the way the two boxers got down to business and Dunne surprised the crowd by trading with Cordoba. The fight see-sawed one way then the next with Cordoba edging the first rounds before Dunne floored the champion in the third which put and end to Maestrito’s early dominance. Although Cordoba looked weakened at the end of the third he appeared refreshed throughout the fourth and almost finished the fight in the fifth knocking down Dunne twice before pinning him stricken against the ropes whilst raining volleys of combinations upon the tucked up and rocking Dunne until the bell came to save the Neilstown man. Dunne gained in confidence from the sixth onwards and although it would be an injustice to say he bossed these rounds it would be fair to say that he showed levels of courage and determination that many had never seen before.

A resilient and determined Dunne brought the brutal battle to an end in the eleventh round after unleashing venomous onslaught on Corboda who at this stage was bereft of ideas and a shell of the fighter we say in the early rounds. Both men admirable gave their all in the final round but Dunne summoned energy from the pit of his stomach which saw Cordoba slump to the canvas three times before Hubert Earle called a halt to the bout.

In a result that no one could have ever predicted at the close of the fifth, Dunne’s arm was raised aloft to become Ireland Irish world title holder since Steve Collins lifted the WBO middleweight title in the mid 1990’s. This early contender for Fight of the Year had everything with the pair gallantly provided an exhilarating and grueling battle and an Irish winner – the crowd may have arrived as doubters but they left believers!

So how does this shake up the Irish P4P list?

The top four have been pretty much interchangeable for the past six months but Dunne’s performance sees him dethrone John Duddy for top spot as Duddy tumbles following a particularly disappointing first loss. Matthew Macklin’s breathtaking knockout win over Wayne Elcock put a further halt to Ulster dominance of the list. But this obstruction proved to be temporary as Martin Lindsay reinforced their superiority by blasting Paul Appleby out in six rounds and ensure the Northerners still command the majority of the slots in the top ten. The other main movers are Michael Gomez, who plummets from 11th to 19th following a humbling defeat at the hands of Ricky Burns and Galway’s John O’Donnell who makes an appearance for the first time.

Let’s hope we have a quiet May and that next months update will be a little less emotional – I don’t think my heart could take many more months like March and April!

eagle eye

These are pound for pound rankings and I personally believe that McCloskey should be no.1.

I think Brian Magee should be a lot higher than he is, and John Duddy after that loss has to drop down a lot further.

I agree with who the top three but not the order of the first two. I'd have Murray, Magee and Hyland ahead of Duddy at this stage.

joepenguin

Dunne should be one, no doubt. I think you have it right Sligobhoy. Good little pieces on each boxer too.

foams

Excellent pound4pound list, theres not much arguing with it.
hopefully Paul McCloskey will have a "world" title within the next twelve months,
but im not so hopeful for Andy Lee, his style does not appear to be making the
progress needed to develope to the next lrvel of his career, i hope im wrong.

sligobhoy67

eagle eye wrote: »

These are pound for pound rankings and I personally believe that McCloskey should be no.1.

I think Brian Magee should be a lot higher than he is, and John Duddy after that loss has to drop down a lot further.

I agree with who the top three but not the order of the first two. I'd have Murray, Magee and Hyland ahead of Duddy at this stage.

I've already had grief offa one manager for his boxers position!

Johnduddy

Great post sligo...

Has anyone ever seen an Irish P4P ranking littered with so many champions ? Good times.

sligobhoy67

Johnduddy wrote: »

Great post sligo...

Has anyone ever seen an Irish P4P ranking littered with so many champions ? Good times.

definately not. I will post the P4P from a year ago and it has the titles on it - very few of them have any of note!

duagre

good report.
I think you have them just about right

Seillejet

Interesting well thought out article. I thought Duddy's fight was even more dissapointing considering he was trying to change style and the calibre of opponent. What is Lee up to now?

cowzerp

Fair play to ya..

3hn2givr7mx1sc

Great Post.. Bernard Dunne should definately be number 1.. I have high hopes for Paul McCloskey.. Still unbeaten.. Surely in line for world title shot?

Big Ears

Dunne simply has to be number one at the moment.
I think Brian Magee should be ahead of Stephen Haughian and Andrew Murray at the moment, and Michael Gomez announced his retirement and should be removed from the list.

But all in all, a very good list and fair play for putting all the effort in.

sligobhoy67

Big Ears wrote: »

Dunne simply has to be number one at the moment.
I think Brian Magee should be ahead of Stephen Haughian and Andrew Murray at the moment, and Michael Gomez announced his retirement and should be removed from the list.

But all in all, a very good list and fair play for putting all the effort in.

Yeah it Gomez' swan song in the list alright.

As for Magee - I'm not a massive fan but if he beats Quigley he would jump both of them.

unknown13

Jamie Moore should be on the listed and in the top 5

Jayob10

Tyson Fury???? surely not irish

sligobhoy67

Jayob10 wrote: »

Tyson Fury???? surely not irish

There are two criteria to gain entry onto the list.

A. Born on the Island of Ireland, or

B. Consider yourself primarily Irish.

So we therefore have an issue for a number of fighters on the list. Matthew Macklin, Andy Lee, John O'Donnell, Michael Gomez, Tyson Fury and a number of fighters not on the list - Jamie Moore, Danny O'Connor, Frankie Gavin, Patrick Farrell etc.

1. Matthew Macklin - he is from Brum his Ma is from Tipp and his Da is from Roscommon, he fought for England as an amatuer international and won an English ABA title - but he considers himself primarily Irish - therefore on the list.

2. Frankie Gavin - Gavin's situation/credentials are almost to Macklins - he is from Brum his Ma is from Tipp and his Da is from D/Kerry, he fought for England as an amatuer international and won an English ABA title - but to my knowledge doesnt consider himself primarily Irish - therefore not on the list. Thats doesnt mean I wont watch him a little keener than others - I will and I wish him well - good luck to the lad.

3. Andy Lee - born in London, started boxing in England and possibly fought for an English ABA title - not 100% sure on that case. But he also fought for Ireland as an amatuer international and respresented us in an Olympics and he considers himself primarily Irish - therefore on the list.

4. John O'Donnell - he was listed on BoxRec as being born in England until very recently when I informed them that he was born in Galway. I am not sure even how much of his life he lived in Ireland or if he considers himself Irish but being born in Ireland gets him on the list. Hopefully I will find out more about him soon.

5. Michael Gomez - born in Longford but living in England since he was 9 and has a broader Manc accent then either of the Gallagher brothers. But he considers himself primarily Irish and wears the Irish colours in all his fights - therefore on the list.

6. Tyson Fury - born in Manchester and bred in Manchester and tried to qualify for the UK for the Olympics. But he also claims to be Irish and just representing England. He also was based with an Irish club for a time and he represented Ireland as an amateur international and fought against Poland and the USA and he wears the Irish colours into the ring. He would have represent Ireland at the Olympics if there wasnt a complaint put into the IABA about his eligability. As he said himself "I'm a Irish but here I am representing the UK". I think that warrants entry for now.

7. Jamie Moore - a current Irish champion and is proud of his Irish roots (on his mothers side) but by his own admission he doesnt consider himself Irish. Therefore not on the list.

8. Danny O'Connor and Patrick Farrell etc - these guys have only ever referred to themselves as Irish-Americans not as primarily Irish. Therefore not on the list.

Shaniev

sligobhoy67 wrote: »

There are two criteria to gain entry onto the list.

A. Born on the Island of Ireland, or

B. Consider yourself primarily Irish.

So we therefore have an issue for a number of fighters on the list. Matthew Macklin, Andy Lee, John O'Donnell, Michael Gomez, Tyson Fury and a number of fighters not on the list - Jamie Moore, Danny O'Connor, Frankie Gavin, Patrick Farrell etc.

1. Matthew Macklin - he is from Brum his Ma is from Tipp and his Da is from Roscommon, he fought for England as an amatuer international and won an English ABA title - but he considers himself primarily Irish - therefore on the list.

2. Frankie Gavin - Gavin's situation/credentials are almost to Macklins - he is from Brum his Ma is from Tipp and his Da is from D/Kerry, he fought for England as an amatuer international and won an English ABA title - but to my knowledge doesnt consider himself primarily Irish - therefore not on the list. Thats doesnt mean I wont watch him a little keener than others - I will and I wish him well - good luck to the lad.

3. Andy Lee - born in London, started boxing in England and possibly fought for an English ABA title - not 100% sure on that case. But he also fought for Ireland as an amatuer international and respresented us in an Olympics and he considers himself primarily Irish - therefore on the list.

4. John O'Donnell - he was listed on BoxRec as being born in England until very recently when I informed them that he was born in Galway. I am not sure even how much of his life he lived in Ireland or if he considers himself Irish but being born in Ireland gets him on the list. Hopefully I will find out more about him soon.

5. Michael Gomez - born in Longford but living in England since he was 9 and has a broader Manc accent then either of the Gallagher brothers. But he considers himself primarily Irish and wears the Irish colours in all his fights - therefore on the list.

6. Tyson Fury - born in Manchester and bred in Manchester and tried to qualify for the UK for the Olympics. But he also claims to be Irish and just representing England. He also was based with an Irish club for a time and he represented Ireland as an amateur international and fought against Poland and the USA and he wears the Irish colours into the ring. He would have represent Ireland at the Olympics if there wasnt a complaint put into the IABA about his eligability. As he said himself "I'm a Irish but here I am representing the UK". I think that warrants entry for now.

7. Jamie Moore - a current Irish champion and is proud of his Irish roots (on his mothers side) but by his own admission he doesnt consider himself Irish. Therefore not on the list.

8. Danny O'Connor and Patrick Farrell etc - these guys have only ever referred to themselves as Irish-Americans not as primarily Irish. Therefore not on the list.

sligobhoy67

Shaniev wrote: »

no probs - I know its fairly subjective which isnt ideal but its a complicated thing being Irish!

Vintagekits

Right guys - its that time again and this weekend I will be submitting my article on the Irish P4P rankings.As you will find out if you try and click on the link in the OP that since the last one I did Britishboxing.net has died - very sad all round especially as the website had many very good writes including Terry Dooley and Ian McNeilly etc.Anyone I'm with boxingscene.com for the time being and the article will appear there.As you cant view the last article there is a copy here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Vintagekits/Irish_boxing_pound_for_pound_rankings_-_May_2009Comments and queries all very welcome!