STARS OF THE RING COME OUT IN FORCE FOR OMAGH
Stars of the ring come out in force for Omagh
By Eamonn O'Hara
FORMER undefeated world champion Steve Collins, subject of renewed weekend speculation over an $8m retirement-breaker clash with WBC and WBA light-heavyweight titlist Roy Jones jnr next, year, will attend tonight's promotion in Omagh for the bomb victims Memorial Fund.
Collins is one of several personalities from within the sport who will express their support for the event, an all-ticket sellout at the local Leisure Centre
He is one of four ex-world champions backing the project organised by the Omagh Boys and Girls Club.
Barry McGuigan, Frank Bruno, the one-time WBC heavyweight champion, and Glenn McCrory, who works alongside McGuigan at Sky Television, have all given firm commitments.
Frank Maloney, one of British boxing's leading promoters, will also attend the function which will incorporate a special 12-bout amateur boxing card and an auction of memorabilia
Among the items which will be auctioned this evening are signed gloves donated by Henry Cooper, and Ireland's former world featherweight champion, McGuigan.
One of the chief organisers of the promotion is Omagh Boys ABC secretary, Paddy McMahon.
"The sport of boxing can, through this event, show its caring side, and do something for the people of Omagh.
"It is a way of showing support, symbolically, and collectively, to their survival, to their courage, and really we are not in this to raise money as such.
"This is more about raising spirits. It is a symbolic gesture, and whatever money comes of this, all will go towards the Memorial Fund.
"It is definitely a sell out. The Leisure Centre will house 1,000, and the demand for tickets has been terrific.''
"It is heartening, to say the least, to see so many legends of the boxing ring coming together to pay tribute to the courage of those so deeply affected by Omagh's recent tragedy."
A host of former world champions, European and Commonwealth champions, British champions from Northern Ireland, are poised to make appearances at the event.
It is understood that WBO featherweight champion Naseem Hamed may still make it to Omagh to show his support.
"Naseem is involved in a number of television obligations in America, while on holidays there also.
"Brendan Ingle has been in contact with us a number of times, and stated that if he's back in time from America, Naseem wants to attend Omagh if at all possible. His interest is very much appreciated," says McMahon.
Aside from the star-studded guest list lending its support, amateur boxing will demonstrate its skills in the ring as a centre-piece to the promotion.
Among the boxers taking part are Ben McGarrigle, Tom Clare, Tommy Donnelly, Paul McCloskey, Noel Monteith, boxers from Nottingham, Belfast, Derry, Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.
The programme is as follows:
45kgs: P Heaney (Bishop Kelly ABC) v B McLaughlin (Oak Leaf, Deny); 65kgs: D McGlinchey (Omagh Boys) v S Magee (Oak Leaf); 54kgs: P Doherty (Omagh Boys) v S Canning (Oak Leaf); 60kgs: D Taggart (Omagh Boys) v T McGilloway (Oak Leaf); 63kg: A Colton (Omagh Boys) v J Pearson (Eastwood ABC, Nottingham);
Light-heavy: K Lunney (Omagh Boys) v C Vasey (Eastwood ABC); Bantam: B McAleer (Bishop Kelly) v S McGuinness (Oak Leaf); Light-welter: N Monteith (Bishop Kelly) v P McCloskey (St Canice's, Dungjven); Light-heavy: T Donnelly (Mark Heagney ABC) v A Reynolds (Sligo); Feather: P O'Donnel (Dockers, Belfast) v M Sweeney (Manorhamilton); Heavy: T Clare (Buncrana) v S Myers (Manorhamilton); Heavy: B McGarrigle (Omagh Boys) v T Black (Dungannon).
By Eamonn O'Hara
FORMER undefeated world champion Steve Collins, subject of renewed weekend speculation over an $8m retirement-breaker clash with WBC and WBA light-heavyweight titlist Roy Jones jnr next, year, will attend tonight's promotion in Omagh for the bomb victims Memorial Fund.
Collins is one of several personalities from within the sport who will express their support for the event, an all-ticket sellout at the local Leisure Centre
He is one of four ex-world champions backing the project organised by the Omagh Boys and Girls Club.
Barry McGuigan, Frank Bruno, the one-time WBC heavyweight champion, and Glenn McCrory, who works alongside McGuigan at Sky Television, have all given firm commitments.
Frank Maloney, one of British boxing's leading promoters, will also attend the function which will incorporate a special 12-bout amateur boxing card and an auction of memorabilia
Among the items which will be auctioned this evening are signed gloves donated by Henry Cooper, and Ireland's former world featherweight champion, McGuigan.
One of the chief organisers of the promotion is Omagh Boys ABC secretary, Paddy McMahon.
"The sport of boxing can, through this event, show its caring side, and do something for the people of Omagh.
"It is a way of showing support, symbolically, and collectively, to their survival, to their courage, and really we are not in this to raise money as such.
"This is more about raising spirits. It is a symbolic gesture, and whatever money comes of this, all will go towards the Memorial Fund.
"It is definitely a sell out. The Leisure Centre will house 1,000, and the demand for tickets has been terrific.''
"It is heartening, to say the least, to see so many legends of the boxing ring coming together to pay tribute to the courage of those so deeply affected by Omagh's recent tragedy."
A host of former world champions, European and Commonwealth champions, British champions from Northern Ireland, are poised to make appearances at the event.
It is understood that WBO featherweight champion Naseem Hamed may still make it to Omagh to show his support.
"Naseem is involved in a number of television obligations in America, while on holidays there also.
"Brendan Ingle has been in contact with us a number of times, and stated that if he's back in time from America, Naseem wants to attend Omagh if at all possible. His interest is very much appreciated," says McMahon.
Aside from the star-studded guest list lending its support, amateur boxing will demonstrate its skills in the ring as a centre-piece to the promotion.
Among the boxers taking part are Ben McGarrigle, Tom Clare, Tommy Donnelly, Paul McCloskey, Noel Monteith, boxers from Nottingham, Belfast, Derry, Donegal, Sligo and Leitrim.
The programme is as follows:
45kgs: P Heaney (Bishop Kelly ABC) v B McLaughlin (Oak Leaf, Deny); 65kgs: D McGlinchey (Omagh Boys) v S Magee (Oak Leaf); 54kgs: P Doherty (Omagh Boys) v S Canning (Oak Leaf); 60kgs: D Taggart (Omagh Boys) v T McGilloway (Oak Leaf); 63kg: A Colton (Omagh Boys) v J Pearson (Eastwood ABC, Nottingham);
Light-heavy: K Lunney (Omagh Boys) v C Vasey (Eastwood ABC); Bantam: B McAleer (Bishop Kelly) v S McGuinness (Oak Leaf); Light-welter: N Monteith (Bishop Kelly) v P McCloskey (St Canice's, Dungjven); Light-heavy: T Donnelly (Mark Heagney ABC) v A Reynolds (Sligo); Feather: P O'Donnel (Dockers, Belfast) v M Sweeney (Manorhamilton); Heavy: T Clare (Buncrana) v S Myers (Manorhamilton); Heavy: B McGarrigle (Omagh Boys) v T Black (Dungannon).
Further Information
Publisher: THE IRISH NEWS
Ref: IN/0474
Published Date: 19-Nov-98
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