Respect to Dean Byrne

Short little post to start my blog and it's about the action in Manchester on Friday night, which was screened by the excellent Box Nation, Sky channel 456.


Frankie Gavin, the former amateur star pulled out with just 24 hours notice and was supposed to fight the Frenchman Frank Haroche Horta in a WBO Inter-Continental title defence, for what is now unknown reasons, but it continued a worry recent bad turn of events for "Funtime". However I wouldnt like to comment on what's happening with Frankie and rather applaud Irishman Dean Byrne for stepping in.


Byrne had only fought a week ago at York Hall against Michael Frontin, taking an eight round decision win, and for him to put his unbeaten record on the line against a guy he would have known nothing about, just to save the Queensberry Promotions show was highly commendable.


The Irishman has had a very interesting pro career fighting in his homeland, Australia and America, where he trained at the famed Wildcard gym. In the fight with Horta he was pulled out by his corner in the 8th round, struggling with the more experienced fighter, although the corner cited a hand injury for his pull out.


Byrne falls to 15-1 (6 KO's) after that, but has plenty of miles left in him, he does need to get some confidence boosting victories (especially over 10 round distances), however if all goes well it would be great to see him and Gavin making statements in 12 months time.