Boxing: Promoter Frank Maloney believes he can guide Brian Magee back to the brink of a world title shot, starting with victory over Carl Froch on March 31st at the King's Hall in Belfast.
Maloney confirmed Magee’s challenge to British and Commonwealth super-middleweight champion Froch is the first in a four-fight deal he has signed with the former IBO champion.
Maloney, who looked after Magee in the early part of his career when he was with Panix Promotions and Panos Eliades, is confident the Belfast man will end Froch’s unbeaten record.
"Let’s face it, Froch has never been tested," Maloney said. "He’s fought a load of handpicked opponents and his last opponent Ruben Groenwald was only a light-middleweight and he gave him trouble.
"Some of Froch’s opponents I could have beaten. I think he’s in for a shock. It’s going to be away from home for him for the first time and he’s going to be in with a guy who’ll be hitting him back. It’s a whole new ball game for him.
"I have done this four-fight deal with Brian and at the end of it I want him to be fighting for a world title in Belfast."
Froch will make a defence of his Commonwealth belt on February 17th at the York Hall, Bethnal Green against Australian Dale Westerman and Magee will be at ringside.
Magee, who lost a controversial European title fight last summer in Germany when many felt he had won, said: "I can’t wait to get back to the King’s Hall.
"It’s been a tough 18 months for me with the Calzaghe fight called off at 24 hours notice and then the decision in Germany but I’m buzzing again. Froch has made plenty of boasts about what he is going to do to me so we’ll find out what he’s got on the night. I just think he’s one of the most over-hyped fighters in Britain. His career has been built on hype."
The supporting bill will feature Belfast’s former Commonwealth cruiserweight champion Darren Corbett, now campaigning as a light-heavyweight.