BOXING:BERNARD DUNNE will continue his comeback from the wilderness when he faces the Argentinian Damian Marchiano in the National Stadium on July 12th.

The super-bantamweight bout will be Dunne's second since his first-round defeat to Kiko Martinez at The Point in August last year, when he surrendered his European title.

His 10-round points win over Felix Machado in April was unconvincing, but a win nonetheless, after Martinez had brought the ambitions of the much-vaunted Dunne to a shuddering halt.

Marchiano (28) has pedigree but is coming off the back of a defeat to the South African Silence Mabuza in an IBO title fight.

Defeat in Gauteng, South Africa, was his fourth in a 20-fight career that has seen 15 wins, five knock-outs and one draw.

It has left the Argentinian with little option but to beat the Neilstown fighter if he is to avoid a career detour similar to Dunne's.

"I know I must win this fight but I am confident that I can beat Dunne even in his home town," said the man from Buenos Aires.

"We are working on a strategy for the fight and I think it will surprise Bernard. I don't think he has met someone as physically strong or courageous as me.

"I love to fight up close and have a real war and I have a heart as strong as a lion so Bernard better be well prepared because I will make it a very hard night for him."

The promoter Brian Peters believes the bout will serve as a good indicator of how far Dunne has come since a sloppy performance against Machado and how far he has to go if he is to get a world title shot.

"Marchiano's just coming off a defeat to Silence Mabuza, who is very highly rated and considered one of the bigger punchers out there," said Peters yesterday.

"He also extended Oscar De La Hoya's big prospect Abner Mares the distance late last year, so he should give us an indication of Bernard's progress on the world stage."

The 10-round bout will be one of seven on the night, the undercard including Jim Rock's historic bid to become a four-weight Irish champion when he clashes with Jonjo Finnegan at light-heavyweight.

Light-welterweight champion Andrew Murray will be seeking his second Irish title when he moves down to lightweight to challenge Peter McDonagh.