BACK ON THE WATERFORD

Jonny Stapleton sees pro boxing return to the Irish city

A SIZEABLE crowd turned up to the WIT Arena for the first pro event in Waterford in over 70 years and saw local favourite Craig Mccarthy secure victory over Bulgarian Teodor Lozanov on this Neil Power Promotions show. The 1,500-plus in attendance took a sharp intake of breath when referee Pádraig Ó’reachtagáin’s 58-57 scoreline was read out, but exhaled loudly in delight when the MC confirmed it favoured the Waterford super-middleweight.

Cork-based Cuban cruiser Mike Perez expertly took out Argentine Pablo Matias

Magrini, with Mr Ó’reachtagáin waving the bout off after just 1-26 (scheduled for eight).

Waterford light-heavy Barry Barnes grabbed a tight 38-37 debut win over

Przemyslaw Binienda, the Pole being dealt a crucial point deduction from Mr Ó’reachtagáin for an infringement in the final round.

Athy featherweight Eric Donovan produced two knockdowns before forcing referee Emile Tiedt to step in and rescue Hungarian Ignac

Kassai after 1-26 of the second (set for six). Waterford super-welterweight Rohan Date required just 26 seconds before Mr Tiedt needed to intervene in his six-rounder with Cork-based South African Jade Karam. Limerick super-welter Graham Mccormack

O’shea outpointed Hungarian Jozsef Takacs 40-37 for Mr Ó’reachtagáin. Meanwhile, Lucan welterweight John Joyce outscored another Hungarian, Ferenc Jarko, 60-55 on Mr Tiedt’s card. Lastly, Dublin welter Keane Mcmahon outpointed Pole Filip Rzadek 40-37 (Mr Ó’reachtagáin).