CONFIDENT ‘Pink Panther’ Jim Rock is not counting his chickens before Englishman Steve Goodwin steps into the ring to complement the Dubliner’s fifth professional bout at the Ulster Hall on January 28.
Rock, has researched the background of Goodwin and justifiably states Goodwin’s loss record, 13 in total, should not be considered as a poor rating.
“I’m facing a guy who is full of ring craft and when I saw his opponents, I knew I was making a serious step-up in class,” said Rock.
Too true. Goodwin has a few well known names on his unlucky 13 record of defeats. Among them, current WBC super-middleweight champion Robin Reid, former British
champions Neville Brown and Gary Stretch and former world champion Lloyd Honeyghan.
“Goodwin has fought two world champions and two former title contenders so his defeats are those of vast experience and he will be using that experience against me. It means I have to be totally focussed throughout this fight.
“This guy has been beaten by top class fighters and if I lose concentration he could catch me with his experience. I expect him to use all he knows at the Ulster Hall, so this is a big one for me.”
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WAYNE McCullough’s defeat against super-bantam Daniel Zaragoza wasn’t exactly a shock. Hard to take, it might have been, but on the professional Richter scale it probably barely registered.
McCullough was up against a legend and legends don’t always crumble, no matter how strong or brave the challenger. Make no mistake, McCullough’s hour of destiny with the Mexican awaits.
But on the amateur front Harry Doherty’s resignation from the Central Council position he has held for eight years stunned even his closest colleagues and sent shock waves reverberating throughout the association.
Doherty, a Belfast legal executive, was a council poll-topper on three occasions and had recently been sounded out by leading officials for the job of Irish president.
Never a quitter, Doherty had put his heart and soul into his duties, striving to iron out what he viewed as the considerable problems inherent in the structure of the IABA and his resignation letter came like a bolt from the blue.
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THE following players are asking to report for an Antrim U21 trial game tonight at Lamh Dhearg’s pitch, Hannahstown.
A Campbell, C McStravick (St Mary’s Aghagallon), D Magee (Aldergrove), N Quinn, P McCann, P McCann, S McCambridge (Ballymena), K Doyle, A Scullion, P McGeown, K McErlaine, D McNabb (Cargin), E McErlane, D Martin, N Robb, P Johnston, M Graham, M Johnston, P Herrern, O Bateson, M Maguire (Kickhams), M Molloy, S McClements, C Cunning, B McGarry, C Cairns (Dunloy), S Fay, K Fay, D Mulholland (Lisburn), K Mulholland, N Breslin, B McCann (Portglenone), P Hasson, A McNeill, O Quinn (Rasharkin), C McDonnell, M McMullan, G Kerr, P Mulholland, D Higgins (Glenravel), H Mulholland, K O’Neill (Glenavy), J McErlean, K McErlean (Moneyglass).
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The Fermanagh U21 squad have training this week in St Michael’s College,Enniskillen and Brewster Park.. They also have a challenge game against Tyrone on Sunday at Irvinestown (2pm).
Fermanagh U21s: Peter Baird, Shane Wilson, Clive Fitzpatrick, Rory McEnhill, Barry Morris, Peter Quinn, Declan Campbell, Malcolm McClave, Glen Monaghan, Mickey Connolly, Darren Dolan, Mark Miller, Kevin Duffy, Brendan McKenna, Liam McBarron, Tom Brewster, Dara McGrath, Brian Hegarty, Kieran Donnelly, Stephen Maguire, Rory Gallagher, Niall Rooney, Raymond Johnston, Niall Monaghan, Andrew Moohan, Colm Shannon, Stephen Owens, Gary Dowd, Brian Jackson, Manus O’Kane.
