Mike Perez Ring Return Set For April 28 In Dublin

By Elliot Foster

Boxing Scene has been informed that a show which was cancelled earlier this week will now be rescheduled.

The inaugural It’s A Bout Boxing Ireland card –– Táimid Laochra –– was previously set for April 1 at the National Stadium in Dublin.

But it will now take place on April 28 at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght, South Dublin.

The Boxing Union of Ireland withdrew permission for the 14-fight show on Monday afternoon “due to a number of conditions not being complied with by the promoter.”

Promoter Marcus Anderson-Hitchen, of It’s A Bout Boxing, told ‘Scene on Monday evening that all issues were being worked on and that he was endeavouring to reach an agreement with FS Promotions’ Frank Stacey, with whom he’s co-promoting under the It’s A Bout Boxing Ireland umbrella, for the show –– which is set to feature the return of Cuban-born Cork heavyweight Mike Perez –– to go ahead in future.

“Due to a number of technical and logistical issues, missed deadlines and administrative problems over the past few weeks, It’s A Bout Boxing Ireland were forced to postpone this weekend’s Táimid Laochra show in the National Stadium, as most of you are already aware,” a statement issued on Friday and sent to Boxing Scene read.

“We hold our hands up and accept responsibility for the problems which led to the cancellation of the show. These issues are now resolved.

“It’s A Bout Boxing Ireland would again like to apologise to the boxers and the fans for the delay and confusion, plus the total inconvenience to them, and thank them all for their understanding and support.”

Tickets for the April 1 card remain valid for the rescheduled date, at the 2500-capacity venue, and a sell-out crowd is expected.

The show will be slightly scaled down from what was planned for April 1, but it will still be televised via Showcase TV (Sky channel 212) and be headlined by Perez against an opponent to be named.

Boxing Scene understands that the meeting between It’s A Bout Boxing Ireland and Mel Christle of the BUI will take place next week and that further names for the card will be revealed in due course.

In other news, young Bray bantamweight Regan Buckley has quickly secured a new date for his pro bow.

The 20-year-old will now punch for pay for the first time on May 27 at the National Stadium in Dublin.

Eric Donovan, Sean Creagh, Stephen Carroll, Crank Whitehouse, Lynn Harvey and fellow debutant John Joyce will also feature on the bumper bill which is promoted by Leonard Gunning of Boxing Ireland and Tony Davitt.

Elsewhere, Sean Higginson will make his pro debut in his home city.

The Belfast featherweight has been added to Kieran Farrell’s April 22 card at The Devenish Complex after the promoter’s April 14 at the Bowlers Exhibition Centre in Manchester –– on which Higginson was originally set to have his first fight –– was moved back to May 27.

Joe Fitzpatrick, Mark Morris, Dan McShane, Sean McGlinchey, Sean Magee, Mathew Fitzsimons, Ger Healy, and Ronnie Clark all feature on the April 22 card which is headlined by the British Challenge super-featherweight title clash between Feargal McCrory and Jay Carney.

But a new debut date is awaited for Waterford welterweight Dylan Moran and further details will be revealed in due course.