By Mel "Sabaka" Ohlhoft

On Saturday night at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Paul McCloskey dug deep to win a twelve round decision in a WBA final eliminator against Breidis Prescott. After twelve close rounds, the three judges gave McCloskey the edge with scores of 114-113, 115-113, 114-113. McCloskey becomes the mandatory challenger to the WBA's "regular" champion at 140-pounds, Marcos Maidana. McCloskey's promoter, Eddie Hearn, wants to make a lucrative offer to bring Maidana to Belfast.

"Paul won the fight and he proved that he has the steel and determination. It was a fight that showed his heart, guts and desire and he showed that he deserves another world title shot and that will be his next fight. We will do whatever it takes to make that happen and there's no reason why we can't get Marcos Maidana to Belfast for that fight," Hearn told the Belfast Telegraph.