Boxing:Paul McCloskey is confident that he can continue his unbeaten run in the professional game after finalising details of his WBA light-welterweight fight against holder Amir Khan at Manchester's MEN Arena on April 16th.
The 31-year-old southpaw from Dungiven near Derry is the reigning European champion and has a pro record of 22-0. He described the chance to challenge Khan as “the biggest night of my life”.
“This opportunity has come on the back of what I’ve done in the ring and I’ve got no doubts in my mind that I can beat Amir,” he said.
“Amir has improved dramatically and proved in his last fight against Marcos Maidana the heart he has. That fight was amazing to watch. It will be the biggest night of my life.”
Khan is relishing the chance to fight in Manchester after his two title defences in 2010 against Paulie Malignaggi and Maidana were held in New York and Las Vegas.
“It’s going to be a big fight for me coming back home,” said the 24-year-old.
“Paul McCloskey is an unbeaten fighter with a lot of skill. Also, he’s a southpaw, and I’ve been watching him fight.
“I like his style; he’s very sharp, he’s got a good punch. So it’s going to be a tough fight but this is what I like and what drives me. It only brings the best out of me.
“I hear there’s going to be a lot of fans from Ireland who are going to be backing him and he’ll have fans from England as well. But it’s great to have it on.”