By Jonny Stapleton
Willie ‘Big Bang’ Casey is hoping victory in Prizefighter the Super Bantamweights this weekend will see him explode onto the boxing big-time.
The Limerick man’s employment of fight rather than flair doesn’t always impress the judges, but his tendency to take the short route to victory often makes the score cards irrelevant.
The novice pugilist boasts two loaded weapons and he plans to unleash them en route to the winners’ circle in the exciting new format this Saturday night (29 May).
Due to that power Irish supporters are backing Casey to upset the odds this weekend, starting with his quarter-final bout against Mark Moran of Liverpool.
This week’s JOE SportsTube takes a KO theme, paying tribute to Irish fighters who switched their opponents’ lights out and ignited their careers in the process.
Martin Lindsay v Derry Matthews
Going into the last round of this clash college graduate Martin Lindsay, who is now British Champion and just one win away from a world title shot, was behind on points and in need of a get-out clause. The Belfast fighter then connected with a superb left hook ensuring Matthews made a permanent visit to the canvas. If there was ever proof you’re always just one good punch away from victory in boxing, then this is it.
Matthew Macklin v Amin Asikainen
A TKO with as much shock value as sock value. Matthew Macklin claimed the European strap and catapulted himself up the world rankings by sensationally stopping the world-rated Amin Asikainen in just one round. Macklin flattened the Finnish fighter with a smashing left hook before finishing him off before the second bell.
Bernard Dunne v Ricardo Cordoba
Not the most emphatic finish but certainly the most dramatic in Irish boxing history. Ricardo Cordoba hitting the canvas in the eleventh round was the perfect climax to probably the greatest Irish boxing story ever told. Dunne came back from the brink to claim the world title in a Fight of The Year contender, sending one of the most partisan crowds ever witnessed in Irish sports delirious.
Andy Lee v Carl Daniels
Middleweight prospect Andy Lee demonstrates how a fight can be won in an instant. The Limerick sweet science specialist dissected Daniels’s cover, landing a perfect right to drop his opponent in style. So happy was Lee with the connection he celebrated before his opponent consults the canvas.
Martin Rogan v Matt Skelton
A lethal cocktail of heart and power saw heavyweight Martin Rogan recently rocket onto the boxing scene. ‘The Entertainer’s’ form earned him a shot at Commonwealth strap owner Matt Skelton (who previously had never been stopped). After ten brawling rounds former taxi driver Rogan made it destination Belfast for the prestigious belt with this fittingly entertaining finish (fast forward to round 11):
If you’re hungry for more, here’s a YouTube top ten collection:
And while we’re at it, JOE’s favourite kind of Irish knockouts:
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