Last Saturday night after almost a year’s absence with supposed cards falling through and no television support to attract big fights a small hall classic was on offer for the nearly packed house. The undercard saw Belfast’s Luke Wilton get some ring time before his long over due shot at the British Flyweight title which will hopefully take place in Liverpool some time in March. Luke stalked his opponent Stefan Slavchev in the opening round before a blitz in the second forced the referee to call the bout to a halt. Wilton now moves to 13(7)-2-1 and really needs a step up in class soon.
The chief support bout saw Dublin’s Brendan Fitzpatrick take on journeyman Joe Rea, who is is probably best known for being involved in to of the prizefighter series. Fitzpatrick was originally supposed to fight Paul Moffet in a real 50/50 before Moffet pulled from the fight citing injury. However, rumor has it that he is set to face Chris Eubanks Jr. But as it happened Rea stepped in to take the fight at late notice and appeared to be pretty good shape.
Looks can be deceiving and after a barrage of body shots Rea to a count. No sooner had the action resumed that another barrage to the midsection occur forcing the referee to call a stop to the action with less than 2 minutes of action. Fitzpatrick now moves to 6(3)-1 and will be hoping for an Irish title shot early this year.
The final event of the evening saw Anthony Cacace face Irish champion Micky Coveney for the Irish Super Featherweight title. The pair had met earlier in the year at light weight with Cacace winning by a 5th round TKO. Cacace towered over the over matched Coveney. The opening round was very comfortable for Cacace who worked from behind the jab, until a sweet left hook followed by a heavy upper cut forced a count just before the bell. The referee spared Coveney of any more punishment by calling a halt to the bout. Cacace has now picked up the Irish title in only his fourth professional fight and with a good amateur back round. Irish fight fans can expect big things. It may have not got the hype of the Bernard Dunne era, nor had the big name fighters. But every beginning has to start from somewhere and with plenty of top novices on show you never know how far they can go. The last person to top a Dublin Bill is now fighting for a world title on the Pacquiao Marquez undercard.
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