Livescore
Nations Fight Night
Venue: Ulster Hall Date: Saturday, 1 February Live from: 18:00 GMT
Coverage: Watch live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website from 18:30 GMT and on BBC Two Northern Ireland from 21:00 GMT.
With weigh-ins complete, all roads now lead to the battle on Bedford Street with the Nations Fight Night at the Ulster Hall.
On Saturday, tenacious talent collides under the unforgiving lights, where only the strongest will take the next step. The stakes could not be higher.
The first bell is fast approaching. The stage is set. The next chapter in Ulster Hall’s illustrious boxing legacy begins now.
Could one of these high-fliers be the next to carve their name into boxing history? BBC Sport NI introduces you to the seven Irish fighters set to take the stage at an iconic venue.
Colm Murphy
Age: 25 Weight: Featherweight Opponent: Kasimu Hamad Haji Record: 13-0-0
Topping the bill at the Ulster Hall is Colm ‘Posh Boy’ Murphy. The south Belfast born boxer will defend his Commonwealth Silver featherweight title which he won against Jack Turner at the SSE Arena last summer.
Weighing in at 8st 9lb, Murphy says he isn’t one to pinpoint a winning round, but believes that after a few rounds warming up, he’ll be out to get Haji.
“I’m going to wear my heart on my sleeve and put in a performance I’ve been building up to for the last two months of sacrifice and do my city proud,” he told BBC Sport NI.
John Cooney
Age: 28 Weight: Super-featherweight Opponent: Nathan Howells Record: 11-0-0
John ‘The Kid’ Cooney faces Newport’s Nathan Howells at the Ulster Hall in the co-main event. Cooney defends his Celtic super-featherweight title, with the loser of the contest also being ruled out for the British title.
“I’m just looking forward to it. This is the platform you want to be on. You want to be on the TV, in front of the thousands of people and express yourself and enjoy it.”
Speaking on the atmosphere, Cooney added: “I’m really looking forward to fighting in that small hall, but at the end of the day I’m focused as well. The outside doesn’t make too much noise to me.”
Teo Alin
Age: 29 Weight: Super-featherweight Opponent: Brayan Mairena Record: 2-0-0
Born in East Timor, Cookstown’s own Teo Alin faces Jack O’Neil in his third career fight. Alin comes into this fight after a 40-36 points win over experienced journeyman Joshua Ocampo.
Alin believes the fans should expect a really good performance with “a bit of everything in it”.
“I just deal with what’s in front of me. If the knockout comes it comes, but the fans are guaranteed a performance,” he added.
Jack O’Neill
Age: 24 Weight: Super-bantamweight Opponent: Luke Flash Record: 2-0-0
Jack ‘Wacko’ O’Neill is set to make his return to Ulster Hall facing Luke Flash in a super-bantamweight bout. O’Neill won the Ulster Elite light-flyweight title in 2019 at the same venue.
Speaking on the fight, Murphy said fans can expect “an exciting, explosive performance”.
“It will very, very entertaining and there will be a stoppage.”
Conor Quinn
Age: 26 Weight: Super-flyweight Opponent: Sean Jackson Record: 9-1-0
Belfast born Conor ‘The Magnificent’ Quinn will face Sean Jackson in a super-flyweight contest. He comes into the fight after defeat to Conner Kelsall for the Commonwealth flyweight title last year.
“I always try to go out and put on a good show for the fans and always try be very aggressive and try get my opponents out of there so that’s exactly what I’ll be doing.”
Charles McDonagh
Age: 20 Weight: Lightweight Opponent: Sean Jackson Record: 1-0-0
Dungannon born Charles ‘The Dream’ McDonagh makes his debut at home after his first professional victory over Nestor Maradiaga in Glasgow.
Looking ahead to his fight against Karl Sampson, McDonagh expects “an exciting and nasty performance”.
“I’m happy to bank four rounds, or if it ends in the first round, whatever happens, happens. I just want to go in and enjoy it,” he continued.
James Freeman
Age: 29 Weight: Welterweight Opponent: Jacob Marrar Record: 3-0-0
Fighting in the heaviest contest of the night, former Armagh GAA star James Freeman faces fellow welterweight Jacob Marrar. Freeman’s most recent win was by points against Jake Osgood in Newcastle last August.
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