Following recent speculation in the press regarding a possible clash between Irish Middleweight rivals Andy Lee and John Duddy promoter Brian Peters says he would like to set the record straight on his recent efforts to make the much talked about all-Irish fight.

There has been increasing rumblings in the media about the possibility of both men getting it on but Peters has revealed that a recent written offer to both camps was rejected. “I have the greatest of respect for both Andy and John and have always worked very well with them in the past but I believe it’s important that a recent offer made to them is put on the record,” said Peters.

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The Hunky Dorys Fight Night: Big Bang Theory at the University Arena, Limerick on Saturday, November 6th was already shaping up to be explosive with Kiko “La Sensación” Martinez defending his European Super Bantamweight title against Limerick’s own Willie “Big Bang” Casey but extra TNT has been added to the night with the news that Belfast’s Martin Rogan will make his return from injury on the card.

The inaugural Prizefighter winner and former Commonwealth Heavyweight Champ will feature on the card as he bids to bounce back from a career threatening injury. Reigning European Union and Irish Super Bantamweight Champ Paul Hyland will also feature in Limerick with the talented Dubliner eyeing a shot at the winner of Martinez – Casey.

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Brian Magee (right) and Roman Aramian (left) pose for the cameras after weighing in - PHOTO: Aidan Walsh

The weigh in’s are complete for the European title double header at the National Stadium in Dublin on Saturday’s Hunky Dorys Fight Night. European Super Middleweight Champion Brian Magee and challenger Roman Aramian  both had to strip to the bare essentials to make the 168 pound weight limit while the challengers for the vacant European Super Bantamweight title, Kiko “La Sensacion” Martinez and Arsen Martyrosian both tipped the scales right on the 122 pound weight limit.

Kiko Martinez (right) and Arsen Martyrosian (left) pose for the cameras after weighing in- PHOTO: Aidan Walsh

Robbie Long and Anthony fitzgerald pose for the cameras after weighing in- PHOTO: Aidan Walsh

The Cuban Revolution continues at The National Stadium in Dublin this Saturday when unbeaten Cuban duo Alexei Acosta and Luis Garcia feature on the undercard of the Hunky Dorys Fight Night.

Acosta and Garcia are two of a trio of undefeated Cuban sensations now based in Cork having all won World Junior Championships in the amateur ranks. The third is heavyweight Mike Perez who was forced off Saturday’s card earlier this week due to illness. All three are unbeaten and tipped for big things in the pro ranks.

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Irish Super Middleweight Champion Anthony “The Pride of Dublin” Fitzgerald will put his title and his ring moniker on the line when he faces Robbie Long in their eagerly awaited rubber match on this Saturday’s Hunky Dorys Fight Night at the National Stadium in Dublin.

The completion of this all Dublin trilogy is part of the undercard to a European title doubleheader with Brian Magee making the first defence of his European Super Middleweight title against Roman Aramian while Kiko “La Sensacion” Martinez and Arsen Martyrosian will battle it out for the vacant European Super Bantamweight crown.

For Dublin fight fans though the Fitzgerald – Long clash will hold a special interest pitting the Champion, a Northsider from the inner city against the challenger from Tallaght on the Southside of the Liffey. Both men already hold a victory over the other and Saturday’s decider will have extra spice with Fitzgerald’s Irish title on the line.

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Lauri and McCloskey (right) at the weigh-in

European Champion Paul McCloskey and mandatory challenger Giuseppe Lauri have weighed in ahead of their clash in the main event of the Yanjing Beer Fight Night at The King’s Hall in Belfast tomorrow.

The full weights for the card are below.

The action at The King’s Hall gets underway at 6:30pm with the main event live on Sky Sports 2 from 10:30pm.

12 Rounds – European Light Welterweight Title

Paul McCloskey (139.5 Lbs) V Giuseppe Lauri (139 Lbs)

10 Rounds – Vacant Celtic Welterweight Title

Stephen Haughian (146 Lbs) V Kevin McIntyre (146 Lbs)

6 Rounds – Lightweight

Gavin Rees (137.25 Lbs) V Sam Amoako (138 Lbs)

6 Rounds – Lightweight

Andy Murray (138.5 Lbs) V Jon Baguley (138 Lbs)

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Purse bids are looming for new European Middleweight Champion Darren Barker’s mandatory defence against former champ Matthew Macklin and the Birmingham based Irishman wants it made very clear that he’s ready, willing and able to claim back his old title against Barker.

Macklin vacated the European crown in March rather than hold it up after he suffered an injury at Freddie Roach’s Wildcard Gym in Los Angeles while training for his first defence. That gave Barker the opportunity to contest the vacant title with Affif Belghecham with the Londoner eventually emerging victorious on points after a titanic struggle with his French opponent.

In recognition of his sportsmanship in deciding to vacate the title the European Boxing Union immediately installed Macklin as the number one challenger to the new champion and with purse bids due for the fight later this month Macklin is chomping at the bit to get his hands on Barker and his old belt.

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European Champion Paul McCloskey has teamed up with old rival Colin Lynes as he steps up preparations for the first defence of his title on the Yanjing Beer Fight Night at the Kings Hall, Belfast on Friday, June 11th.

McCloskey headlines a big night of championship boxing at one of the sports legendary venues when he takes on mandatory challenger Giuseppe Lauri while the chief supporting bout will see Stephen Haughian taking on former British champ, Kevin McIntyre for the Celtic Welterweight title.

In preparation for the bout McCloskey has been clocking up the rounds isparring with former opponent Lynes at trainer John Breen’s Gym in Belfast. The undefeated Dungiven southpaw relieved Lynes of his British title in 2008 and the Londoner has also enjoyed a stint as European Champion so he knows all about preparing for European title fights.

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European light welterweight king Paul McCloskey has no intention of abdicating his throne when he faces mandatory challenger Giuseppe Lauri at The King’s Hall, Belfast on Friday, June 11th. The undefeated Dungiven southpaw stretched his perfect record to 20 straight wins last time out with an impressive stoppage victory over Daniel Rasilla to capture the European crown and he says he’s ready to fulfill another career milestone by headlining at the King’s Hall next month.

“To headline a bill at a legendary venue like The King’s Hall is a dream come true,” said McCloskey. “It’s such a historic venue and all the top boxers have fought there down through the years so to headline a bill there will be special.

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World rated Middleweight Andy Lee believes that Limerick could have European Champions in both boxing and rugby to celebrate in 2010. The Limerick southpaw will have his next professional outing in his native city on Saturday, May 15th on the Yanjing Fight Night when he headlines a star studded night of championship boxing at the University Sports Arena in the city.

Lee believes that a good win next month should put him in line for a shot at newly crowned European Middleweight Champion Darren Barker and with the Munster rugby team storming in to the Semi Finals of the European Cup at the weekend the 25 year old thinks Limerick could soon be celebrating a European double.

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