Dean “Irish Lightning”
Byrne makes NYC debut in “Erin Go Brawl II”
February 24, 2009
(FEB 24) NEW YORK – The latest boxing
sensation in a long, growing line of Irish boxers who’ve emigrated to
the United States is unbeaten light welterweight Dean “Irish Lightning”
Byrne, who makes his New York City debut fighting on the St. Patrick’s
Day Eve (Monday, March 16) “Erin Go Brawl II” card, presented by Irish
Ropes Promotions, at WaMu Theater in the famed Madison Square Garden.
2004 Olympian Andy Lee (16-1, 13 KOs) takes on 3-time world title
challenger Antwun “Kid Dynamite” Echols (31-9-4, 27 KOs) in the 10-round
main event, while former WBC bantamweight champion Wayne “Pocket Rocket”
McCullough, 1992 Olympic silver medalist, fights in the 10-round
co-feature against an opponent to be determined.
Byrne (10-0, 4 KOs), who had more than 200 amateur bouts, is a former
Irish amateur and Australian professional national champion. The Crumlin,
Ireland native now fights out of Los Angeles, where he’s trained by
Freddie Roach and has sparred at the Wild Card Gym with superstars Manny
Pacquiao, Juan Marquez and even Oscar De La Hoya for a few rounds. Bryne
is in an 8-round bout versus TBA.
McCullough started the Irish boxing explosion in the U.S., followed by
Stevie Collins, Kevin McBride and then John Duddy and Lee. “One of the
reasons I came to the U.S. to fight was what they did here,” Byrne said
from training camp in Los Angeles. “I watched Stevie Collins and the
Irish haven’t had a world champion in 12 years since him. Everything is
great here (U.S.) for boxing – training, gyms, trainers, and sparring. A
year ago, I was going to Boston (where, ironically, Roach is from) from
Australia but stopped in Los Angeles, worked out a few times at Wild
Card, and then Freddie said I could stay. I’ve been there ever since.
Sparring there for a young fighter can’t get any better. Manny’s an
unbelievable fighter and a great person. Freddie has gotten me to sit
down more on my punches. I’ve always had power but, he’s brought it out
of me, and I’m much more comfortable.
“I’m looking forward to being in New York City for the first time. I’ve
wanted to fight there for a long time to show everybody what I’m capable
of. I’m a great entertainer and love to entertain fans who’ve paid their
hard earned money to come to my fights. I’ve always dreamed of fighting
in Madison Square Garden and to do it in front of so many Irish fans is
a great opportunity for me. I fought on the Irish Team with Andy Lee.
He’s a good friend and a good guy. I knew of Wayne McCullough, everybody
did back home, but I don’t know him. I said hello to him once at a
stadium but I’m sure he doesn’t remember me. I’m looking forward to
meeting him and honored to be fighting on the same card as Andy and
Wayne.”
Scheduled to fight in 6-rounders on “Erin Go Brawl II” are Irish super
featherweight champion Eddie “Pride of Tallaght” Hyland (11-1, 3 KOs),
of Dublin; Philadelphia by way of Galway middleweight “Slick Fightin’
Irish” Simon O’Donnell (8-1, 5 KOs); Limerick light heavyweight Jamie
Power (4-0, 2 KOs) versus Reggie “Concrete” LaCrete (4-0-2, 3 KOs), from
Brooklyn; Jersey City super featherweight Danny “Little Mac” McDermott
(7-1-1, 2 KOs).
Also on the card in 4-round matches are Massachusetts light welterweight
Danny O’Connor (3-0, 1 KO), 2008 U.S. Olympic Team alternate; Brooklyn
featherweight Sadam Ali (1-0, 1 KO), 2008 U.S. Olympian; former St.
Xavier College star football player Tommy Brown, fighting out of
Chicago, making his pro debut in the light middleweight division.
Irish Ropes president Eddie McLoughlin also announced that County
Galway’s Sean Mannion (42-14-1, 14 KOs) will be honored at “Erin Go
Brawl II” in honor of the 25th anniversary of his WBA light middleweight
title fight at Madison Square Garden against the eventual champion Mike
“The Bodysnatcher” McCallum.
Tickets, priced at $50.00, $75.00, $100.00, $150.00, $200.00, $300.00
and $400.00, are on sale at TicketMaster.com as well as Jack Demsey’s in
Manhattan, Hilltop in Elmhurst, and the Heritage in Yonkers.
For more information call Irish Ropes Promotions (212.868.9543) or go on
line to irishropespromotions.com. Source/PR - Bob Trieger
