Magee has metal on his mind

IT'S the biggest stage in the world but Brian Magee is mentally and physically ready. And he is within touching distance of realising his dream. This evening, in the Alexander Memorial Coliseum (approximately 3.50pm Irish time), the southpaw will come face to face with Algeria's Mohamed Bahari in a middleweight quarter final with an Olympic medal at stake.

Destiny time The winner will be assured of a least a bronze medal. Yesterday morning, Magee and Irish boxing manager Mickey Hawkins spent hours studying videos of Bahari, a good all rounder who has impressed in his two contests in Atlanta `96.

But Magee has impressed, too. In his first bout, the 21 year old Belfast man like Damaen Kelly, who fights his flyweight quarter final tomorrow, a member of the Holy Trinity club picked himself up off the floor to beat big hitting Canadian Randall Thompson. Then he comfortably out pointed the Cameroon boxer Bertsam Tetsia in the second round.

"We've analysed the videos and this Algerian boxer is a tough character," admitted Hawkins. "He is a guy who feints a lot and is difficult to pin down. He is a good all rounder.

"However, Brian is in a very positive mood. He is in really good shape and, personally, I think he can do it," said Hawkins. "Brian is boxing well and, if he can pick off his shots, then I feel he can do the job. His southpaw style should cause some problems."

Magee has proven to be a clever boxer in his two outings in Atlanta, undaunted by the intimidating atmosphere in the Coliseum. The two time Irish middleweight champion was show good ring craft and uses his left jab to considerable effect to impress the judges.

The Belfast man carries no scars or injuries from his previous engagements in the ring and, yesterday, enjoyed a typical pre fight day breakfast, videos, sleep and then just an hour of so training in the afternoon, mainly working with pads, skipping and tactics. He hopes it will provide the recipe to continue Ireland's fine Olympic boxing tradition.

Magee hopes to use his quick counter punching to frustrate Bahari, a busy fighter, who out pointed Thomas Marcus of Barbados in his second bout. The guarantee of an Olympic bronze medal to the winner should ensure a good, tight contest. But Magee's attitude, mobility and clean punching have impressed and perhaps, he can set the right sort of trend for club mate Kelly to emulate tomorrow.

The cut over Kelly's right eye (sustained in his first bout thanks to Bulgarian Julian Storgov's flying elbow) re-opened in his fine points win over Australian Hussein Hussein on Sunday night, but Irish team doctor Conor O'Brien worked on the wound yesterday and there are no concerns in the Irish camp about Kelly's fitness.

"There is no problem on that front," said Hawkins. "Dr O'Brien took the precaution of covering it up, so everything should be okay." Kelly is scheduled to fight world ranked number one Bulat Dzumadilov of Kazakhstan in his flyweight quarter final tomorrow night.