Professional boxing makes a welcome return to Galway on Saturday week at Leisurelandand tickets are selling fast for the event organised by Olympic hero Francis Barrett.
With interest in pro boxing at a renewed high in this country following the success of Bernard Dunne, there is set to be considerable interest in the card which has been put together by promoters Francis Barrett and Keith Walker under the Southpaw Promotions banner, and a significant crowd is expected to gather at the Salthill venue.
The undefeated Colman Barrett headlines the show which will feature several Ireland versus England bouts.
Now under the stewardship of manager/trainer Keith Walker hopes are high that Barrett can recapture the dash that made him such an exciting prospect before taking a three year break from the sport.
Walker is adamant the potential is still there. “He's now ready to be unleashed back into the fight game. We intend over the next five fights to be back in the real mix. This will be a slow but confident progress.
“I've added pressure to him by boxing locally but this is boxing and we need to control our emotions early doors.”
Other fighters involved include John Waldron, Colm Keene, Declan Timlin, and Danny Reynolds.
Francis Barrett is delighted to step into the promotional side of the sport, and acknowledged that plenty of graft is needed.
“I never knew how difficult it was but know I’m a lot wiser. Mr Walker has helped me teach me the ropes as they say, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. They said fighting was hard, I know it is, but promoting has all the highs and lows for sure.”
Still April 18 at Leisureland promises to provide a fitting reward for all of Barrett and Walker’s efforts in bringing the sport back to the Galway.
Tickets for the gig are €70 for ringside and €50 for general seating, but Francis says that companies or groups who buy more than ten tickets will get a tenner back if they will give it to a charity of their choice.
Tickets for the event are on sale at Zhivago Ticketmaster, Shop Street Galway (091 ) 509960.
