Boxing: Bernard Dunne will continue his comeback from the wilderness when he faces Argentine Damian Marchiano in the National boxing stadium on July 12th.
The super bantamweight bout will be Dunne's second since his first round defeat to Kiko Martinez at The Point in August last year, when he surrendered his European title.
His 10 round points win over Felix Machado in April this year was unconvincing, but a win nonetheless, after Martinez brought the much vaunted boxer's ambitions to a shuddering halt.
Marchiano has pedigree but is coming off the back of a defeat to South African Silence Mabuza in an IBO title-fight. Defeat in Gauteng was the 28-year-old's fourth in a 20-fight career that has seen 15 wins, five knockouts and one draw.
It has left the Argentine with little option but to beat the Neilstown fighter if his career is to avoid a detour similar to Dunne's.
"I know I must win this fight but I am confident that I can beat Dunne even in his hometown," says the Buenos Aires boxer. "We are working on a strategy for the fight and I think it will surprise Bernard. I don't think he has met someone as physically strong or courageous as me.
"I love to fight up close and have a real war and I have a heart as strong as a lion so Bernard better be well prepared because I will make it a very hard night for him."
Promoter Brian Peters believes the bout will serve as a good indicator as to how far Dunne has come since a sloppy performance against Machado and how far he has to go if he is to get a world title shot.
"Marchiano's just coming off a defeat to Silence Mabuza who is very highly rated and considered one of the bigger punchers out there," said Peters today. "He also extended Oscar De La Hoya's big prospect Abner Mares the distance late last year so he should give us an indication of Bernard's progress on the world stage."
The 10-round bout will be one of seven on the night, with the undercard including Jim Rock's historic bid to become a four weight Irish Champion when he clashes with Jonjo Finnegan.
Light Welterweight champion Andrew Murray will be seeking his second Irish title when he moves down to lightweight to challenge Peter McDonagh.
