Paul McCloskey Injures Hand, Out of M'Baye Bout

By Terence Dooley

Paul McCloskey's European light-welterweight showdown with Souleymane M'Baye has been put on ice due to a hand injury suffered by McCloskey.  M'Baye will now defend against a top ten rated European in France on Friday night, with the winner mandated to meet McCloskey in their next contest.

Paul's injury is yet another blow to British boxing; recent withdrawals have plagued the domestic game.  McCloskey explained the situation to the Belfast Telegraph.  "It's an old hand injury and I wouldn't go into the ring against M'Baye unless I was 100 per cent fit," he said.

"I'm very confident that I'll beat him wherever the fight is," he continued.  "I'll have to wait and see if he comes through at the weekend.  It's a pity I couldn't fight him now but I just have to be patient.  I know when I get the chance I'll be European champion and that will open the door to the big time."

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