At the Prizefigther draw the first names drawn by Commonwealth super bantamweight champion Carl Frampton and world ranked contender Paul McCloskey were Eamonn O’Kane and Anthony Fitzgerald

Next up are two heavy hitters Ciaran Healy and Ryan Green will contest the second quarter final of the knock out tournament.

Former Dolphil stable mates and training partners Darren Cruise and JJ McDonagh will face each other in the ring.

English based unknown Simon O’Donnell will face Joe Rea to complete the line up.

 

FIGHTCARD
Paul McCloskey 141 Vs. ‘Chop Chop’ Corley 138.25
Martin Lindsay 131.25 Vs. Mickey Coveney 130.5

All-Irish Prizefighter Middleweights line up and weights:
Eamonn O’Kane 160.75 Vs.. Anthony Fitzgerald 161.25
Ciaran Healy 161.5 Vs. Ryan Greene 158.75
Darren Cruise 160.5 Vs. JJ McDonagh 160.75
Simon O’Donnell 160.75 Vs. Joe Rea 161.5

Venue: King’s Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland Promoter: Matchroom

 

Paul McCloskey says he must win impressively against ‘Chop Chop’ DeMarcus Corley tonight to land another World title shot.

Dudey faces the former World champion as the main event on a huge night of boxing at Belfast’s King’s Hall, with the former unbeaten European welterweight king facing Chop Chop after the all-Irish Prizefighter Middleweights battle it out for the trophy and £32,000 winner’s cheque.

Corley won his world title in 2001 with a first round stoppage of Felix Flores and made two successful defences against Ener Julio and Randall Bailey before dropping a split decision to Zab Judah in July 2003.

The 37 year old took Floyd Mayweather Jr the distance in 2004 and faced Miguel Cotto the following year for his old title. Corley travelled to England to face Junior Witter for the WBC belt in 2006 and went the distance with Marcos Maidana for the WBA belt in 2010.

Corley proved he still has plenty to offer as he claimed the NABF light welterweight title against previously unbeaten New Yorker Gabriel Bracero in the Big Apple in January, and McCloskey knows he is in for a tough test on home soil.

“He's coming off the back of a good victory so I have to be at my best,” said McCloskey, who tipped the scales at the weigh-in at the King’s Hall at 10st 1lb. “But I think he knows he has to track me down and do some damage. It's going to be a massive night and I'm drawing the curtain on it, and I plan to do that in style with a crucial win that puts me in a good spot for a second World title shot.”

“As I've got older I've become more of a puncher,” said Corley, who came in lighter than his opponent at 9st 12lb 1oz. “I’ve been in with the best and hurt them, and I know Paul doesn't have enough to stop me. I know I'm going to win the fight and I know it's going to be by knockout.”

Before McCloskey and Corley do battle, the all-Irish Betfair Prizefighter Middleweights takes centre-stage as the 24th edition of Matchroom Sport’s eight man, one night tournament opens the door to title shots for the victor.