MATTHEW MACKLIN WILL return to Ireland for his long-awaited homecoming next month, with strong speculation that the fight will be the precursor to a showdown with Andy Lee.
The former world title contender will headline a Dublin fight night on 30 August, promoted by Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing.
Hearn confirmed the Dublin date this morning and promised an official announcement with further details next Wednesday.
“5yrs since I boxed in Ireland & 4yrs since I boxed in UK,” Macklin tweeted. “Nice to be fighting back over this side of the Atlantic!”
Hearn — who smashed British boxing records with the Carl Froch-George Groves rematch this summer — visited Macklin in his Marbella gym yesterday, fuelling speculation about their imminent deal.
The middleweight’s last Irish fight was in December 2009 when he beat Rafael Sosa Pintos on points in Dublin’s National Stadium.
That is the most likely venue for what will be the capital’s biggest pro bill since Willie ‘Big Bang’ Casey took on Guillermo Rigondeaux three years ago.
Macklin’s win over Pintos paved the way to a series of world title shots, including the controversial split decision defeat against Felix Sturm in Germany.
He was then outclassed but far from disgraced against pound-for-pound king Sergio Martinez in the second of his three title fights, and also lost against the undefeated WBA middleweight champ Gennady Golovkin last year.
Now he finally looks to be on a collision course with Lee in a fight which has been anticipated for years.
That showdown could take place in Dublin later this year, according to a report in today’s Irish Sun.
Both fighters are on the record in favour of a meeting, with Lee telling TheScore.ie last week: “I still want the fight and hopefully it’ll happen later in the year. I think it’s a barnstormer of a fight.
“Our rivalry has grown over the years. We both would hate to lose to each other.
“I know I will win, he believes he will win… hopefully we’ll soon find out who’s right!”
Ffs if Roy does a shit the press are asking Martin what kind of toilet paper is he using
Word of the day is “wedge” media trying to drive it between Ireland management team and goverment trying to give us the short end of it regarding irish water costs!
The media is bloody ridiculous, it’s gotten out of hand. This is some TMZ level nonsense.
Whether it’s a media thing or not, O’ Neill must have a pain in his arse answering questions about Keane
Who care ffs !! Write about something else will ya
Dear Journal,
Eagerly awaiting ma Roy Keane Press blackout.
Regards,
Don Juan.
Get rid of Keane he’s bad news
Wonder what Villa make of all this…………..
He hadn’t read them cos he’s sick of him! Get rid of him Martin
There were no “controversial remarks” – just another pathetic attempt by the media to create a rift in the Irish managerial setup.
The definition of a controversy is a ‘prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion’.
Regardless of whether you agree with Keane or not, his comments have clearly caused heated discussion, hence they’re controversial.
Absolute nonsense, this is the perfect example of a manufactured “controversy” and a continuation of the media “frenzy” surrounding the non-story “assault” at the team hotel before the Scotland game. Keane can’t move without the media blowing everything out of proportion. They know his name sells papers and doubly so if there is even the slightest hint of him getting annoyed. And can you blame him for asking “Who the hell do you think you are?” with the likes of this clickbait gibberish?
At what stage in the future will the Keane brigade start shouting about O’Neill not having a clue and telling us it’s time Roy took over. His consent forays into the headlines are tiresome and should do everyone a favour and go back to ITV. His time is nearly up at Villa anyway but I’m sure Lambert will get the blame there.
I thought the British media were bad. Our own lot are no better……These so called stories are non stories. Wouldnt be surprised if O’Neill walked away altogether.
Roy shocks the docile sheep by having a opinion and a pair of balls,!!!
It’s a perfect blend. Keane can go out and say what o Neill wants to say but can’t incase he offends. Great tactics.
I’d prefer our management team to be more concerned about tactics on the pitch – that Scotland side are no better than us man for man, but looked a much better side
Missed what keane said about grealish/grealish’s dad?
g shh hhh GB kk