Irish boxing is set for a fascinating 2004 with Brian Magee hoping to prove his world-class credentials, Eamonn Magee angling for a rematch with Ricky Hatton and Neil Sinclair and Wayne McCullough aiming to revive flagging careers.
Brian Magee defended his lightly-regarded IBO super-middleweight belt four times in 2003 and promoter Barry Hearn is promising him a lucrative 12 months.
And the other Belfast Magee, Eamonn, ended the year on a bright note with a comprehensive points victory over Jimmy Vincent to lift the WBU welterweight title.
Magee is now gunning for Hatton again - although it is likely Manchester's finest will want to avoid the rough and tumble Irishman who gave him such a fright last time out.
Damean Kelly is now looking another shot at the big time after losing an IBF flyweight title fight to Colombian Irene Pacheco last September.
Kelly succumbed to a murderous sixth round in Barranquilla and did not come out for the seventh.
 | BIG FIGHTS TO HOPE FOR: B Magee v Beyer (Ger) E Magee v Sinclair E Magee v Hatton (Eng) |
Neil Sinclair kept his Lonsdale belt when he successfully defended his British title against Bradley Pryce in February. But his hopes of a world title fight were dashed in the summer when he pulled out of a scheduled WBU welterweight title bout with Vincent, leaving the door open for Eamonn Magee.
King of the ring: Brian Magee has done everything that has been asked of him in his career, but the jury is out on just how good he is.
 Magee is lining up Omar Sheika |
Regardless, there is no doubt he made major progress in 2003, the 10th round stoppage of Andre Thysse the most significant win of his career. The South African had beaten British contender David Starie, but proved no match for the unbeaten Irishman.
Omar Gonzalez, Miguel Jiminiz and Hacine Cherifi were also swept aside by a boxer who ends the year with a record of 22 straight wins.
A March bout against world-rated Omar Sheika is now being lined up with talk rife of a tussle with WBC champion Marcus Beyer later in the year.
One to watch: US-based Dubliner Bernard Dunne is rated one of the most impressive prospects in the featherweight division.
He improved his record to 10-0 with a points victory over Alejandro Ramirez and has already sparred with Manny Pacquiao, Shane Mosley and Carlos Hernandez.
Many US pundits are predicting a bright future.
Fading star: Wayne McCullough's pummelling by Scott Harrison in March was the saddest sight in Irish boxing in 2003.
Despite that loss, McCullough insists he will fight on and has plans to resume his career in the USA in 2004.
MMIX
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