BOXING: HOW NORTHERN IRELAND’S JAMES TENNYSON AIMS TO STEAL THE SHOW WHEN HE FIGHTS AT THE ULSTER HALL...
PROFESSIONAL boxing is set to return to the Ulster Hall for the first time in over six years when James Tennyson defends his Commonwealth super-featherweight title on Mark Dunlop’s ‘A Night To Remember’ show.
The planned seven-fight card on February 9 will also feature Tommy McCarthy, Paul Hyland Jnr, Feargal McCrory and Luke Wilton, with more to be added.
The last time pro boxing was held at the iconic Bedford Street venue back in October 2012, it was also a Dunlop promotion, with Tennyson in just his second outing in the paid ranks.
This fight will mark Tennyson’s return following an unsuccessful bid to relieve Tevin Farmer of the IBF world title back in October and, while he was obviously disappointed to arrive home from Boston without the belt, he is grateful to still have the Commonwealth strap to defend in February.
“I’ve still got something to offer,” he said. “I wasn’t left empty-handed after the world title loss so that will bring me some big fights again.
“I’m going straight back in (to a title defence) and these are the fights I want.
“I don’t want to go back to taking the handy fights. I want to get back into competitive fights and work my way back up again.”
While no opponent was confirmed at yesterday’s press conference to launch the show, manager Dunlop — who also suggested that a clash with McCrory could be a possibility for later next year should he manage to get an eliminator for the Coalisland man on February 9 — said that there are two options in play for the 25-year-old Tennyson.
However, it was also suggested that Tennyson could step up to lightweight before the end of next year with the challenge of making 130lb getting tougher all the time.
“There is nothing to stop him dipping his toes into lightweight,” Dunlop confirmed.
“I’d say by next season he will be a fully-fledged lightweight, so we will do that.”
Tennyson is open to the prospect and agreed that a move up to 135lb could be beneficial in the long run.
“I will probably be a lightweight eventually,” confirmed the west Belfast man. “Mark has lots of options and I think we will have plenty of things lined up for 2019.
“Making the weight for every fight is a push, but how much is it actually taking out of me? It could be a factor, but at the minute I think it’s okay.”
He will certainly be a super-featherweight in February and the plan is to put on a show befitting of the venue.
Tickets are now on sale, and with the lure of a title fight and strong undercard at the Ulster Hall bringing up memories of the glory days at the venue, a capacity crowd and raucous atmosphere can be expected.
“Seven years ago I fought here in my second pro fight, so it will be good to get back in here to defend my title, get back to winning ways and start working my way back up to a world title,” Tennyson said.
“I was 19 back then in my second pro fight and full of nerves.
“It was an amazing place to fight and it was packed out that night. The noise in this place is unbelievable, so I’m expecting a great atmosphere.”