Live boxing is returning to the BBC and it will all begin at the Ulster Hall on February 1 as Mark Dunlop’s MHD Promotions, in association with A McLean Bookmakers and R Kings, present the first of the new ‘Nations Fight Night’ events.
This new concept features champions, contenders and prospects from Ireland, Scotland and Wales over numerous Saturday fight nights early next year on dates that are yet to be announced.
Topping the bill in Belfast will be south Belfast’s Colm Murphy in a defence of his Commonwealth Silver featherweight title, which was won at the SSE Arena in June against Glasgow’s Jack Turner.
Murphy has since improved his record to 13-0 with a points win over Mexico’s Eric Lopez at the beginning of the month and will seek to push on to bigger and better things in 2025 having already won Irish and Celtic titles.
The co-main contest will feature Belfast’s undefeated adopted son John ‘The Kid’ Cooney who defends his Celtic super-featherweight title against Newport’s Nathan Howells in a fight which also doubles up as an eliminator for the British title.
Lenadoon native Tommy McCarthy continues his comeback on the undercard with a potential title fight, while Dungannon’s lightweight prospect Charles McDonagh finds himself in an amazing opportunity as he makes his professional home debut at the Ulster Hall following his recent first fight in Scotland.
Cookstown’s Teo Alin and Belfast’s Jack O’Neil both return for their third fights and will be looking to stay undefeated. Two more names are still to be added to the card.
The fight night will follow the Ireland v England Six Nations rugby match at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium.
“We have worked hard over the last 12 years to bring local boxing to the mainstream so it is fantastic to pen our first contract with the BBC and look forward to working hard in 2025 bringing opportunities for local fighters,” said Mark Dunlop, Managing Director of MHD Promotions.
Paul McLean, CEO of A McLean Bookmakers, added: “BetMcLean has been supporting MHD Promotions for over 12 years now and have watched Mark and his fighters climb to the top and are delighted to play our part as they move forward with their next event.”
Tickets for the Belfast event are on sale from Wednesday at 10am from the Ulster Hall Box Office and www.ulsterhall.co.uk