Sport

Sean McComb headlines Ulster Hall bill as Eric Donovan takes on Reyes at Devenish

Sean McComb [left] ahead of his fight with Mauro Maximiliano Godoy tonight. Picture Mark Marlow.
Sean McComb [left] ahead of his fight with Mauro Maximiliano Godoy tonight. Picture Mark Marlow. Sean McComb [left] ahead of his fight with Mauro Maximiliano Godoy tonight. Picture Mark Marlow.

THERE are two professional boxing bills on in Belfast tonight and Sean McComb will need all his slick boxing skills to handle Argentine battering ram Mauro Maximiliano Godoy in the main event on a stacked fight card at the Ulster Hall.

Unbeaten McComb has moved to 9-0 relatively comfortably but he faces a real test against Godoy who will come to fight from the opening bell. The 17 stoppage wins on his card show he is a dangerous operator but he can be hit as well and McComb has the ability to make him miss and then make him pay.

‘The Public Nuisance’ came through a double setback last time out - taking a count for the first time as a pro and sustaining a cut over his left eye - and wants another step up before he goes on the title hunt.

"I'm trying to get to the top as quickly as I can,” said McComb.

“Godoy has a great record, he has more knockouts than I have fights, so I'm aware of the step up but I'm aware of my ability.

"I've taken some criticism for my last fight, but myself and my trainer Danny Vaughan have worked on that in the gym and we've learned."

The all-Ireland clash between unbeaten lightweights Gary Cully and west Belfast’s Joe Fitzpatrick is another intriguing battle tonight. Cully has been touted as the better boxer but Immaculata ABC-based Fitzpatrick has an impressive amateur pedigree that included a silver medal at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014.

Since turning pro he has progressed to 10-0 and intends to kick on by beating the tall southpaw from Naas and the pair shared some feisty exchanges at yesterday’s weigh-in

"I've seen a few interviews that Joe has done, and he seems to think we're entering a strongman competition on Saturday,” said Cully.

"It's a boxing match at the end of the day and I'm excited to showcase my skills. I believe I'm a better boxer in all departments, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings to the table.

"It's a fight that me and Joe both deserve credit for it, we didn't have to take this fight at this stage of our career, but we both stepped up to prove who's the best."

Fitzpatrick’s progress has been hampered by an on-off training regime but he has shown much greater dedication over the past year.

"I've had a great camp and I'm as fit as I can be. I think I'm a lot stronger than Gary, so I'm looking forward to Saturday. Let's do it," he said.

Also at the Ulster Hall, David Oliver Joyce meets former bantamweight champion Lee Haskins for the vacant WBO European Super-Bantamweight title.

Meanwhile, Kildare’s Eric Donovan tops the bill at the Devenish Complex on Finaghy Road North against Mexican Joseafat Reyes who has gone the distance with Ryan Burnett and the likes of Paul Butler, Joe Ham and Marc Vidal. Former amateur star Donovan knows he is in for a step up in class but that is exactly what he wants.

“He’s been in against world class quality so it’s not going to be any sweat for him going in against me but that’s exactly what I want,” said Donovan.

“I want somebody who’s able to present some sort of a challenge and give me a good fight. A lot of work has gone into the training camp and I want to give the fans something to shout about.”

Ulster Hall bill:

Vacant WBO European Super-Bantamweight title: David Oliver Joyce (11-1) v Lee Haskins (36-4)

Super-lightweight: Sean McComb (9-0) v Mauro Maximiliano Godoy 32 5 1

Vacant BUI Ireland National Lightweight title: Gary Cully (9-0) v Joe Fitzpatrick (10-0)

Welterweight: Lewis Crocker (10-0) v John Thain (17-4)

Super-welterweight: Steven Donnelly (8-0) v Jordan Grannum (5-68-2)

Light-heavyweight: Padraig McCrory (9-0) v Lewis Van Poetsch (9-118-2)

Lightweight: Sean Gerard Duffy (3-0) v Jamie Quinn (7-98-2)

Super-featherweight: Callum Bradley (3-0) v Michael Horabin (2-13)

Super-featherweight: Ruairi Dalton (1-0) v Rafael Castillo (14-55-3)

Super-lightweight: Pierce O'Leary (3-0) v Liam Richards (12-62)

Cruiserweight: Damien Sullivan (1-1) v Jiri Svacina (13-39)

The Devenish Complex bill:

Featherweight: Eric Donovan (11-0) v Joseafat Reyes (8-11-1)

Welterweight: Owen O'Neill (3-0) v Alexander Zeledon (5-20-3)

Super-welterweight: Dominic Donegan (4-0) v Geiboord Omier (4-48-1)

Welterweight: Aaron Gethins (3-0) v Eligio Palacios (7-49-5)

Super-lightweight: Senan Kelly (1-0) v Josue Bendana (10-18-4)

Super-welterweight: Tony McGlynn (1-0) v Dale Arrowsmith (2-33-1)

Welterweight: Katelynn Phelan (2-0) v Borislava Goranova (11-60-4)

Light-heavyweight: Rhys Moran (debut) v Andy Bishop (0-9)