Egan to take on Eubank
BRACKEN TEEN'S TEST
UP-AN-COMING Balbriggan fighter Shane Egan will get a taste of the big time on Friday night when he takes on Chris Eubank Jnr – son of the controversial former World Middleweight champion – in a high-profile amateur bout in Birmingham.
The Bracken boxer (18) will head to England as a guest fighter with a Munster selection, who will be taking on their Birmingham counterparts in a fund-raising show.
Organisers have persuaded no fewer than 15 former world champions to attend the event, but for Egan it will be a chance to test his progress against a fighter tipped to make it to the top of the pro ranks in the coming years.
'It's a great opportunity for Shane,' revealed Bracken coach Kieran O'Neill, who was invited to referee at the event, but was unable to take the time off work.
' They're expecting big things from Eubank and he's just back from a spell with Top Rank in Las Vegas. He's back over here for a few months, but I think the plan is for him to go back to Vegas again after a few fights over in England.'
Since following his father into the 'family business', Eubank has won the US Western States Golden Gloves crown and has been training under Floyd Mayweather.
He is expected to turn pro in the not too distant future, but may remain in the amateur ranks long enough to represent his country at the 2012 Olympics in London.
However, O'Neill insists that Eubank's growing reputation won't faze Egan, who has made a 100% start to 2010.
'I've no doubt Shane can give him a hell of a fight – I think he can actually beat him, because I've watched some of his fights on You Tube and there are weaknesses there that Shane can exploit.
'In fact we're so confident that he can put it up to him that we've already invited Eubank to come to Dublin on May 21st.'
Whether a return fight will materialise will depend largely on how Egan fares on Friday night, but O'Neill feels he possesses all the tools required to develop into a top-class senior boxer.
'He's only 18 and we feel he will become a fully-fledged senior boxer over the next few years. He's won his first three fights this year, beating Daniel Etches in Sheffield, Welsh lad Thomas Marsden and Peter Keenan in Dungarvan a few weeks ago.
'Keenan would have been the obvious choice on the Munster team, but to be honest, he probably wouldn't be up to it and they asked Shane to guest.'
A former Leinster and multiple Dublin champion, Egan will travel to Birmingham on Thursday, face Eubank on Friday and return to Dublin on Saturday.
'It's a big show and Eubank is a big ticket seller, so it's a great opportunity for Shane,' Kieran added.
- John SAVAGE
