BOXING: The international following of 22-year-old Quarryvale featherweight Bernard Dunne continues to grow in the US where he recently signed a promotional contract with Sugar Ray Leonard. Dunne is considered one of Ireland's top prospects.

The former amateur champion, who moved to the US in 2001 and joined the Freddie Roach gym in Hollywood, California, brings an amateur record of 119-11 with him. His first contracted bout under the Sugar Ray Leonard promotion is scheduled for tomorrow night at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo NY, where he faces Tony Davis, a Pan Am Games silver medallist.

Dunne, the son of Brendan, who was a member of the 1976 Irish Olympic team, has fought twice already and won both bouts, the last one on a Leonard card in August. Leonard's recently released statement on Dunne suggests the fighter has a lucrative career ahead of him.

"When Ben (ring name) fought on our card in August, my partner Bjorn Rebney and I looked at each other in amazement. We knew right then that this young man had tremendous skills," said the former world champion.

While Dunne's highly acclaimed amateur career of 11 national titles and two European bronze medals does not necessarily mean he will make it as a professional, his relative youth is seen as a strong asset in making the conversion from the amateur ranks.

The Dublin featherweight turned pro in December of last year with a stoppage victory under the promotional banner of the now defunct America Presents. Since then promotional and injury setbacks have curtailed his activities but he is guaranteed vital US television exposure on ESPN this weekend under the Leonard banner. Dunne is arguably the best professional prospect Ireland has had since Wayne McCullough emerged after the Barcelona Olympics and will be looking to impress.

Meanwhile, McCullough's opponent for his first Belfast fight in six years on November 2nd in the Maysfield Leisure Centre will be named next week.