G-TRAIN ON TRACK
Nicky Fullerton watches Mccormack score career-best victory
GRAHAM MCCORMACK fought the fight of his career to claim the vacant Celtic middleweight title after a 78-75 win over Dominic Donegan at a packed Europa Hotel.
Limerick-based Mccormack came out firing from the first bell and a dazed Donegan knew he was in the eye of a storm from the opening exchanges. “G-train” Mccormack remained on the offensive from the first second to the last and he got his hand raised at the final bell by referee Padraig O’reachtagain. Simply, he refused to be denied.
Donegan will no doubt have been disappointed to have come up short but due to the pressure he was under, he never really got into any kind of rhythm. This was a clash that will live long in the memory of everyone in attendance as both men put it all on the line without taking a backward step. A rematch would be welcomed.
The chief-support between Belfast’s Colm Murphy and Engel Gomez was a spirited encounter, with the former winning 60-54 on referee Eamonn Magill’s scorecard. The win moves Murphy to four wins with no losses and he will now face Ruadhan Farrell for the vacant Celtic featherweight title in Belfast on August 6. Murphy has improved fight by fight in his professional journey to date. He looked calm and composed as he outboxed and outthought his opponent. There is more to come from the Belfast fighter.
Dublin’s Cian Doyle and Tatenda Mangombe produced a good featherweight contest as Mangombe showboated throughout the fight to claim the victory 58-56 on Hugh Russell’s scorecard. Doyle will look to bounce back in his next fight.
The place was rocking as Belfast’s Owen O’neill went toe-to-toe with Sheffield’s Justin Mckenzie. O’neill, who was backed by very vocal support, pushed the pace throughout this sixrounder but Menzie kept himself out of trouble for the duration of the encounter. The Belfast fighter got his hand raised 60-53 on the referee’s scorecard.
Limerick’s Jamie Morrissey won every round against Seamus Devlin from Lancashire, 40-36 on referee Eamonn Magill’s scorecard. Morrissey went through the gears against Devlin and he can be pleased with his night’s work.
The first fight of the night was at middleweight as Belfast’s Daniel O’sullivan eased to a 40-36 points win against Luke Middleton.