BOXING: Olympic medalists Kenny Egan and Paddy Barnes and world champion Katie Taylor have been added to the undercard of Bernard Dunne's world title fight later this year next month. Dunne takes on Ricardo Cordoba for the WBA World Super Bantamweight belt on March 21st.
The event, the first of its kind in Ireland, will see Irish boxing’s most high profile amateurs on the same bill as professionals in front of up to 9,000 fans at the O2 Arena.
For Egan, the night could bring the opportunity to gain a measure of revenge over China’s Zhang Xiaoping, the man who defeated him in Beijing. The Irish captain went down 11-7 in the light heavyweight final but many felt it was a home town decision, something not lost on Egan in the aftermath.
Officials within the Irish Amateur Boxing Association are hoping to arrange the Zhang bout and Egan is hopeful it can be made.
“I’m keeping my fingers, toes and everything else crossed that it comes off,” he said of the chance to meet Zhang again. “The offers out there for him so hopefully he’ll accept.
“It would show great sportsmanship on his part to come over and give me a rematch in Ireland. The last time I boxed him was in a huge venue full of Chinese people so it would be nice to fight him in a huge venue over here full of Irish people this time!
“There’s no bad blood between us or anything and when all is said and done he beat me in the Olympic final. He has the gold medal and I’ve no problem with that but it certainly would be nice to have another shot at him and this time on home ground.”
Egan resisted the temptation to turn professional in the wake of the Olympics, preferring instead to remain in the amateur ranks and go in search of gold at the London 2012 Games. It was by no means a straightforward decision but one he is happy to have made.
“I’ve no regrets and I’ve no intentions of turning professional,” he added. “It’s definitely back to business now, I enjoyed my time off after the Olympics but since I’ve made the decision to stay amateur I’ve been keeping the head down and training hard.”
Taylor’s opponent has yet to be confirmed but the chance to appear on such a big stage is one the double world champion is relishing.
“It’s a huge opportunity for me,” the Irish Sportswomen of the Year said. “It’s really going to be a big night for Irish boxing and a great chance for me to perform on a big stage so I’m looking forward to it.”