Murphy grabs chance to fight Kindelan
14/04/2005 - 15:07:09Dean Murphy has “nothing to lose”, according to Irish coach Billy Walsh, when he takes on Olympic champion Mario Kindelan in Dublin’s National Stadium tomorrow night.
Murphy, who will be having only his fourth senior contest, is part of the Four Nations team hoping to spring a few surprises in the second of their clashes with the Cuban stars, following on from last Friday night’s whitewash in Liverpool.
Murphy has been handed the chance to face Amir Khan’s nemesis following Irish champion Stephen Ormond’s failure to make the weight last weekend, leading to him being dropped from the team.
“Dean was offered the fight and told that he was under no pressure to accept but credit to him he grabbed the chance and he’s ready to give it a real go,” said coach Walsh, who witnessed lightweight king Kindelan easily outpoint England’s Frankie Gavin last weekend.
“We know that Kindelan is one of the greatest amateurs of all time but Dean has nothing to lose and he actually holds a couple of wins over Gavin.
“It’s a very big ask for him because he’s fighting the best boxer in the world but he has the right attitude and he will give a good account of himself.”
The best hope of a victory for the home countries would seem to lie with European middleweight bronze medallist Andy Lee.
Lee lost a close decision to Yordanis Despaigne in Liverpool and believes that he can take revenge this time in front of his home supporters.
“The National Stadium will be buzzing. I can’t wait and after last week’s performance I believe I can beat him,” said Lee.
“I didn’t think I won the fight last week but I had been in bed with the ‘flu the week before so to get so close to the world number three gave me a lot of encouragement.
“It’s great to be fighting him again so soon and in Dublin and I know it’s going to be hard again but maybe I can just get him this time.”
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