Boxing

Stars rally round to cheer on Macklin

Watch Pro Box Live from the National Stadium on RTÉ Two and worldwide on RTÉ.ie from 9.00pm on Saturday, 22 March.

Matthew Macklin will have heavyweight support in his corner when he faces the toughest test of his career this weekend against Yori 'Boy' Campas.

The reigning Irish middleweight champ headlines the Ladbrokes.com Fight Night on Saturday in a clash with former World Champion Campas at the National Stadium, Dublin.

Macklin though will have the backing of some heavy hitters as he looks to brush past the challenge of Campas.

Aside from his new trainer - two time World Champion Buddy McGirt in his corner Macklin will also be cheered on by close friends and fellow fighters, Ricky 'The Hitman' Hatton, former Macklin opponent and leading light middleweight contender, Jamie Moore and Paul Smith, star of the Contender TV series.

Other friends in attendance from the world of sport will include Tipperary hurling star Eoin Kelly and Blackburn footballer David Dunn.

Campas however believes Macklin's fans will be going home disappointed.

'Macklin looks to be a good, strong young fighter and I believe it will be a great fight but I have fought some of the biggest names in boxing like Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad and Fernando Vargas and I don't think you can put Macklin on that level.'

Incredibly this Saturday's fight will be the 103rd pro bout of the Mexican warrior's career which has spanned two decades in which he has compiled a record of 91 wins (73 KO's) and just 11 defeats.

 
Matthew Macklin will be cheered on by a host of boxing superstars at the National Stadium
Matthew Macklin will be cheered on by a host of boxing superstars at the National Stadium
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