A motor mechanic today denied carrying out the savage beating which has left world boxing champion Eamonn Magee's career in ruins.
Mr Magee (32), has accepted he will probably never fight again after he was allegedly hammered with a pickaxe handle during an attack in Belfast which left him with a broken leg and punctured lung.
But magistrates in Lisburn, Co Antrim heard today that Mr Joseph Clarke (52), has provided detectives with an alibi for the time when the assault took place.
Mr Clarke is accused of grievous bodily harm during the alleged beating last week. He was also charged with possessing a baton and damaging a car belonging to a Mr Joe O'Neill.
Mr Magee, originally from the Ardoyne area of north Belfast, was allegedly beaten after the car in which he was a passenger was stopped near the west of the city last Monday.
The fighter, who won the WBU welterweight title in Cardiff late last year had been preparing for a major fight next month.
But as he recovered in hospital the former Commonwealth light welterweight champion and world junior silver medallist nicknamed the "terminator" admitted he probably would never be able to get in the ring again.
Detective Constable Brian Mills told the court that Mr Clarke, of Lagmore Dale, west Belfast, replied: "Definitely not" to all three charges. But the officer insisted that he could connect him with the offences.
Mr Clarke was remanded in custody until March 30th.