Neary camp to make official complaint

Promoter John Hyland will make an official complaint to the Commonwealth Council after Shea Neary lost a controversial verdict to Commonwealth light welterweight champion Eamon Magee at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast.

Hyland and the Neary camp continued to express their anger yesterday at referee Roy Francis' 116114 decision in favour of Belfast man Magee after 10 tension-filled rounds on Saturday night.

"First thing Monday morning I'll be speaking to British Boxing Board of Control secretary Simon Block, because this was a disgrace to boxing. We had a referee in Roy Francis who didn't have the courage to make the right decision in front of a home crowd. Shea Neary is the real Commonwealth champion. He outworked and out-boxed Magee," said Hyland.

Prince Naseem Hamed's next fight against Mexico's Marco Antonio Barrera has been confirmed for March 3rd in America. Hamed's cable network Home Box Office claim the fight will probably go ahead in Las Vegas or Los Angeles.

Hamed against Barrera is a clash which has been waiting to happen for the last couple of years, and one of the most vibrant meetings in the lower weight divisions. It will be Hamed's fifth appearance in the United States having previously fought in New York, Atlantic City, Detroit and Connecticut.

Meanwhile, the Central Council (IABA) decided at the weekend to invite the talented Irish lightweight champion Bernard Dunne to meet its advisory committee following rumours that the Dubliner is set to turn professional.

Trinity student Dunne, currently targeted by a number of pro ranks promoters, was the world's number one reserve at lightweight at the Sydney Olympics and, Irish officials are hoping that he will remain an amateur until the World championships, to be staged in Belfast next June.

The first national under-21 championships will be staged at the newly revamped National Stadium on January 12th, 13th, 20th and 29th.

The national intermediate championships start at the stadium on Friday and Saturday next with the semi-finals the following weekend and the finals on December 1st.