‘’Irish Lightning’’ ready to strike again.
Coming up on the 10th February – London stages the small matter of Kevin Mitchell’s return to boxing. York Hall is destined to sell out with huge interest from British boxing fans. But what can we expect from the undercard? Three of the TKO gym’s hottest prospects in Frank Buglioni, Billy Morgan and Gary Corcoran – who according to trainer Mark Tibbs are promising to develop into commendable forces in the coming years. And with the likes of Billy Joe Saunders, Kevin Mitchell and now Dean ‘’Irish Lightning’’ Byrne providing top level sparring for the protégés, along with the technical, physical and motivational nous of Jimmy and Mark Tibbs, few would argue this is anything but a formality.
The trainers, who have recently masterminded the sensational comebacks of Kevin Mitchell and more impressively, Colin Lynes, who out boxed hot favourite and holder Lee Purdy for the British title, are characteristically humble and realistic on their new contenders, though Mark Tibbs envisages exciting years ahead for domestic boxing, with the next steps in their fight education imminent;
‘’ Billy Morgan’s been with us a little while now. He’s got all the moves all the shots and all the desire, it’s just about manning up for Billy with no rushing. I do strength training with him but we don’t push him as we don’t want to burn him out. Billy will be moving on to 6 rounds in February which I think will work in his favor. In the gym, I’m pushing him up to 8 rounds when sparring so he’s comfortable when he steps up on the night. During the 4th round of sparring Eddie Hussein, I told him to take some wide steps, rock and roll, don’t get hit but still entertain. He surprised me as he switched to south paw and performed competently, he looked like a new fighter. As he’s maturing I’m getting more and more out of him. On the 10th February you are going to see an even better Billy Morgan, that’s for sure.’’
21 year old Morgan, undefeated in his fledgling career thus far with a record of 5 -0, is yet to achieve a stoppage, but the Lightweight is displaying knockout power in the gym and will be incorporating his developing style into his coming contests. As an amateur he won the junior ABA’s twice, the NABC’s, gold medals in the four nations for England and was also the England captain for the U-19’s young England and the U-21’s. Billy revealed an insight into his plans and career to ‘Undisputed’ so far;
‘’ I was advised to come here (TKO gym) by one of the other fighters. I’d seen Jimmy and Mark training as I used to come down here and spar. I admired the way they conduct their training and how they conditioned their fighters, I wanted to come down here with them and I just got in touch with Mark;
I’m with a great team, I respect the team’s advice and go by what the team say but I’d love to be fighting for the southern area title by the end of 2012. I’ve been getting great sparring. I’ve done my first 6 round sparring on Wednesday for this upcoming fight. I’ve sparred Kevin (Mitchell), Eddie Hussein (Mo Hussein’s son). I’m sparring other prospects in the gym – Colin Lynes is in the gym for sparring so it’s great preparation;
February 10th is going to be a big night of boxing. You got Kevin Mitchell, a big East End fighter and I’m from the East End myself. Frank Buglioni is very strong and a great fighter and I guarantee ill put a good show on myself. I know it’s going to be a good show all round. Tickets are selling fast. Who doesn’t want to come and see Kevin Mitchell fight? He’s a tremendous fighter.’’
Mark Tibbs had this to add ‘’I have a feeling peoples ears are going to prick up with this kid, reason being he’s great at what he does, people like him. He’s not only a likable person but he’s going to be a good fighter later on, just wait and see.’’
Within the midst of the gym, a young Irish Light Welterweight quietly goes about his work. Gary Corcoran, who makes his second appearance as a professional, won two Golden gloves as an amateur and is already drawing comparison to the great Ricky Hatton. It wasn’t hard to see why. I observed the 21 year old sparring Kevin Mitchell, who was working on his defensive style while Corcoran chased him around the ring, swarming over Mitchell with swinging body shots at great speed. It was impressive from both men. Mitchell described the young Irishman as ‘’eager’’ and ‘’ferocious’’. Mark Tibbs resumed;
‘’We’re trying to make Gary use his natural power and mould him into Ricky Hatton’s style by the way of his swinging to the body. At the same time we are also installing some creativity into him so it’s even more appealing to the eye. He’s a very strong Light Welterweight and he is sparring Dean Byrne as well as Mitchell – definitely one to watch out for.’’
‘’Irish Lightning’’ Dean Byrne (15 – 1) was also at hand to give Undisputed an update. His last appearance was as a last minute show saver against Frank Haroche Horta last October after Frankie Gavin Pulled out. Byrne had fought only the previous
week and had been out of the gym in the lead up to this fight. He had also been inactive for almost a year prior to that;
‘’I have a meeting with Frank Warren on Monday 16th January. I’ll find out who I’m facing and I’m hoping to be out February or March, though I’d prefer to be out in February . I’ve been sparring Kevin Mitchell and Gary Corcoran and I’m feeling good, my confidence has come back now I’m here with Jimmy and Mark Tibbs and I’m hoping for good things in 2012;
The Irish title is there at Light Welterweight, the WBO Intercontinental title has been mentioned to me so I’m looking to get back in, get a couple of fights and get my name back. It’s not how you get beat – it’s how you come back so I plan to show everyone what I can do;
10th February will be a great night. As I said, I have a meeting on Monday so if there’s a slot for me it’d be amazing to get on that show with Mitchell! It’s a big venue if a small show (York Hall). I think it’ll be better than being in Wembley or somewhere like that. It’s the atmosphere, lots of history. There are lots of exciting fighters on that card – You got Billy Morgan in his first 6 rounder, Buglioni in his third fight after two successive knockouts and Mitchell off the back of that win over Murray and looking to seal a fight with Burns in June so it’s not to be missed.’’
Mark Tibbs gave an update on 22 year old Super Middleweight Frank Buglioni (2 – 0), who was unavailable for an interview;
‘’We didn’t expect him to beat Sabie Montieth in the first round (Buglioni’s debut), we thought Seb was a tough fight for Frank at this stage – but he knew what he had to do and went in there and finished him in clinical style. Same with the second one, Paul Morby, he ain’t no fool, and he’s awkward if anything. We told Frank to smash the awkwardness out of him – you won’t catch him clinical but you can beat it out of him. He did it. He’s been sparring George Groves, Billy Joe Saunders, and we have been working on the negatives with him. When he was on the inside working he was open to the uppercut, they are not big punches but they look bad for us with the judges. We’ve now worked him out of that and it’s all good. It’s up to him how far he can go as he’s got all the ability and is a very quick learner. For instance I can just say the instructions and he’s on it like a flash, no need for reminding. He has tremendous ability – I’m just looking to get that little bit more hunger from him;
Frank Buglioni has the best manager around in Frank Warren who along with Dean Powel as matchmaker can guide him to bigger and better things – everyone at FWP (Frank Warren promotions) is doing a fantastic job.
Tickets that are still available for what could prove to be a sensational night’s action and can be bought through Frank Warren’s office/website. You can also obtain tickets through Alice O’Connor (via Kevin Mitchell) on Facebook, Gary Corcoran or Billy Morgan via Twitter/Facebook, and Lee Hurst via Frank Buglioni on Facebook.
Speak Your Mind