Boxing: Bernard Dunne retires

Dunne announces retirement
Friday, 19 February 2010 20:51

Former WBA World Super-Bantamweight champion Bernard Dunne has announced his retirement from boxing.

Dunne confirmed his decision in an interview with RTÉ Sport's Joe Stack, claiming 'it is time to step on and face new challenges'.

The Neilstown man said: 'After a long thought-out process and speaking with my family I've decided to announce my retirement from boxing.

'I've achieved all my life dreams and ambitions in the sport and it is the right moment for me.

'I'm 30 years of age and it is time to step on and face new challenges.'

Dunne highlighted his victory over Ricardo Cordoba in front of a capacity crowd in Dublin's O2 Arena last March to win the WBA World Super-Bantamweight title as the highlight of his career.

The feat came on the same day as Ireland winning the Grand Slam in the Six Nations on what was one of the greatest days in the history of Irish sport.

'There have been so many highs in my career but to pick one out you'd have to pick the night against Cordoba.

'It is the stuff dreams are really made of. That night was, I suppose you could say, like a movie script.'

He added: 'The easiest thing in the world would have been to climb through the ropes and fight again but honesty has always been very important to me and I am being honest to myself, to my family and to my supporters with this decision.

'The great Irish fans that travelled on the journey to a world title belt with me deserved better than to pay their hard earned cash just to see me go through the motions. I could never do that to them.

'Thankfully I have realised all my dreams and achieved all my goals since I followed my dad into boxing.

'To win a world title is something I will never forget and something I am so proud of and I would like to thank everyone who helped make that possible.

'This is a sad day for me and for my family but it is also an exciting day and a new start in my life, one I am really looking forward to.'

Dunne's manager and promoter Brian Peters paid tribute to the Neilstown boxer and offered full support of the move:

'Bernard's decision to hang up his gloves has my full backing and support.

'We've had a number of discussions since Bernard lost his World title last September and having scaled the heights he has as a World and European Champion he believes that now is the right time to walk away and I am 100% behind that decision.

'I think it would only be fair to thank his professional trainers, Harry Hawkins and Freddie Roach, his sponsors Martin Donnelly and Hunky Dorys and of course Glen Killane and RTÉ who helped to turn Bernard into a household name across the country.

'I know that Bernard's achievements will ensure he forever holds a place in the hearts of the Irish sporting public and I know that with his engaging personality he will prove just as popular in retirement as he did during his boxing career.'

He's right to go out now, he's got nothing left to prove and nothing to gain from ending up a punching bag. Well done Ben and good luck in the future!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/othe...n-2072760.html

While there has been lots of balanced coverage of his career and retirement, this poor excuse for an article really goes too far and betrays the journo's complete lack of knowledge of boxing. Bad fighters don't win European and World titles, lucky fighters are lucky because they prepare well and take their chances.

Whilst some of what he is saying it true it is overly critical and negative and it truth shows a lack of in depth knowledge of boxing and why boxers are supported. It’s like he is purposefully looking for the negatives.

A. he was still in danger of wearing out his welcome - I would disagree with that. Based solely on his opinion without a foot left in logic or truth!

B. He hadn't stayed at the top long enough to put down roots in the nation's affections. - fair point, however, he sold out the O2 Arena twice with 10,000 screaming fans and had the first World title fight in Ireland for over 10 years. That won’t be forgotten

C. When he turned up on the same show last Friday, few people cared -- he was yesterday's man. - see answer to A.

D. The Bernard Dunne story revealed a section of the Irish sports media at its parochial worst. They ignored the inconvenient reality that Dunne was a big fish in a small pond. - I'll give him the bit about the big fish small pond - but where was he when that point needed to be made? Timing!!

E. But America is the only country that matters in boxing and he wasn't even mapped there. - Bull! Bernard was making more money than most American world champions - also none of the world top ten SBW's were American, infect none of the top 20 are - actually in truth none of the top 30 are!!!

F. As the cheerleading reached its crescendo on the night he beat Ricardo Cordoba, the silence from America was even more deafening - eh, NO!!! It was lauded in the states with most serious boxing writers voting it in the top three fights of the year. There are literally tens of 1,000's of professional bouts across the world across every year -if the silence was deafening how did this end up in the top 3 at the end of the year some NINE month later. For deafening silence it sure made an echo.

G. Matched against a rugged Mexican named Adrian Valdez, Dunne was cut in the first round and ended the bout in what would become a familiar sight: his face a mess of blood and bruises. It was his last fight on American soil: how long he would have lasted there remains an open question. - yes Bernard marks up, yes Bernard cuts, yes he had an off night - but he won and won fair and square it was only the ignorant haters jealous of the exposure that Bernard was getting that claimed he lost it on points - have you seen the fight? I have, he won it clearly - its the same people that claim that Campos and Schmicet beat Duddy - their bile is toxic. But its made sound like Dunne left the US because of that close call, no mention of Sugar Ray folding SRL promotion to make The Contender Series or the pressure from loved ones to go back home.

H. One of his best performances came against Esham Pickering on the night they fought for the European title in November '06. The European title might have been boxing's equivalent of soccer's Intertoto Cup - the European title is the equivalent to the Intertoto - **** me, the ignorance - I would rather hold the European title then most of the alphabet world titles out there, it has more credibility in its clasp then the trumped up gold and leather or so many "world" titles.

I. It was also a one-off. He was in the big league now and could no longer be sheltered. Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym came to Dublin six months later and brutally exposed the champion's limitations. - he could have been sheltered, he, like Amir Khan, could have dropped his world title to fight opponents more suited to his style - Maidana is Khan's Prescott, Poonsawat was Dunne's Kiko! Everyone knew it going into the fight, Dunne knew it - he shunned the shelter to face his fear - nothing was exposed that night, it was out there from the start, everyone knew the danger - that’s why we stood behind him. I was never really a Dunne fan, I saw the cynical match matching and holes in his defense but the Cordoba fight showed a different fighter than before and to castigate the man like this after that night is sickening and ignorant.

Criticising boxing supporters for being parochial is like called Cavan GAA fans for being parochial for supporting their team, sure the men from Bailieboro and Dowra can acknowledge the skills and prowess of the Kerry and Meath teams but its only when their own men are winning that they get truly excited – and there is nowt wrong with that – its sport!

A bit more balance and thought needed me thinks!!

Excellent post sligobhoy! Reading the article this morning drew a series of "what?" "come on" "that's not true" from me. I like Conlon as a writer, he's a tv reviewer and can be very biting, but this time he went ott. Many boxers are well matched (especially any with money behind them and a bit of ability). A European title is still something to be looked upon with real respect and as a chance to step up to World title level. Dunne has been clever in getting out now, he's nothing left to prove and nothing left to gain. Leave it to Duddy and co to carry on the fight.

Duddy, McCloskey, Lee, Macklin, Lindsay, Hyland, Framtpon, Hyland, Murray, Hyland, Magee, Sinclair, Frampton, Kavanagh, O'Donnell, Byrne, Rogan!

It truth Irish boxing is strong now than at anytime in my life.

And its largely thanks for Dunne and Brian Peters.

America is where its at though, anybody seriosuly thinking that Europe is a strong hold in boxing is deluded

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

America is where its at though, anybody seriosuly thinking that Europe is a strong hold in boxing is deluded

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remind me where Wladimir Klitschko - the recognised number one Heavyweight champion of the world fight - the US or Europe??

Dunne was the superbantamweight champion if you think that the US is the strong hold of the SBW divison then its YOU thats deluded.

None of the top 30 SBW's are yanks and only two of the last 20 fights for the WBA SBW title have been in the US. Unless Dunne was going to fight Israel Vazquez or Juan Manuel Marquez then Dunne would have been making more money in Europe than the US!

Knew you would give that example
Surely you might have twigged by now that the heavyweight isnt worth much anymore!!!!
Dunne - sure his world title win barely registered in the UK never mind the USA

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

Knew you would give that example
Surely you might have twigged by now that the heavyweight isnt worth much anymore!!!!
Dunne - sure his world title win barely registered in the UK never mind the USA

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If you dont recognise that Europe is more of a stronghold in boxing now then ever before then quite simply you are wrong Benno. Like I have said, look at the Klitchkos, look at what Hatton did - filling the City of Manchester Stadium, the biggest crowd at a fight anywhere in the world in over 50 years, look at the Super Six, look at the explosion in German boxing with there multiple world champions!!

Unless you are fighting for the P4P No. 1 title then many Euro boxers are making a lot more money than their Yankee counterparts!

Never registered in the UK? Is that why Frank Maloney was begging Peters to fight his European champion Rendall Munroe??

Never registered in the US? Is that why The Ring (the bible of boxing) voted it the Cordoba fight the third best in the world in 2009?

Bennocelt, I usually like your post but you are talking out of your hole on this thread my friend.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sligobhoy67

If you dont recognise that Europe is more of a stronghold in boxing now then ever before then quite simply you are wrong Benno. Like I have said, look at the Klitchkos, look at what Hatton did - filling the City of Manchester Stadium, the biggest crowd at a fight anywhere in the world in over 50 years, look at the Super Six, look at the explosion in German boxing with there multiple world champions!!

Unless you are fighting for the P4P No. 1 title then many Euro boxers are making a lot more money than their Yankee counterparts!

Never registered in the UK? Is that why Frank Maloney was begging Peters to fight his European champion Rendall Munroe??

Never registered in the US? Is that why The Ring (the bible of boxing) voted it the Cordoba fight the third best in the world in 2009?

Bennocelt, I usually like your post but you are talking out of your hole on this thread my friend.

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Look man, I was in the Uk when he won his worlds, not a word of it, no one knew who the hell I was on about
You just have listed stats to me - crowds or money dont determine quality, we all know the American and mexican fighters are tough and the ones to beat if you really want to be taking seriously
No interest in the heavy weight division either - but could watch Mexican fighters all day

Americans rarely challenge at Super Bantam or lower and usually the dominant fighters are from Central and South America or Asia as they tend to produce the most champions at the lighter weights. Dunne beat a legit champion from a country which has produced no small amount of serious fighters over the years, including one Roberto Duran, so to simply write off his reign because of the nationality of the man he beat is silly. Dunne made an impact in the US, where all but two of his 14 fights over there were nationally televised, and his win over Cordoba got plenty of coverage over there even if it didn't get much coverage in Britain.

For what it's worth here's my take on his retirement.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu

Americans rarely challenge at Super Bantam or lower and usually the dominant fighters are from Central and South America or Asia as they tend to produce the most champions at the lighter weights. Dunne beat a legit champion from a country which has produced no small amount of serious fighters over the years, including one Roberto Duran, so to simply write off his reign because of the nationality of the man he beat is silly. Dunne made an impact in the US, where all but two of his 14 fights over there were nationally televised, and his win over Cordoba got plenty of coverage over there even if it didn't get much coverage in Britain.

For what it's worth here's my take on his retirement.

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While we are at it - here is my take!!

http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=25575

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

Look man, I was in the Uk when he won his worlds, not a word of it, no one knew who the hell I was on about
You just have listed stats to me - crowds or money dont determine quality, we all know the American and mexican fighters are tough and the ones to beat if you really want to be taking seriously
No interest in the heavy weight division either - but could watch Mexican fighters all day

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"You just have listed stats to me" - no I gave you FACTS which blew your bull**** opinions out of the water.

You genuinely havent a clue about the subject you are discussing - that is obvious from your replies.

What American fighters should be have beaten? Please let me know this because I would love to hear.

"No interest in the heavy weight division either - but could watch Mexican fighters all day" - so what! whats that got to do with this? I dont care what a fighters nationality is - I would prefer to watch a good fight/fighter and be blind to their nationality.

The problem with sports coverage in the uk is that it's driven by Sky, they didn't cover the Cordoba fight so to them it might as well not have happened, for the general public in Britain it was just 2 foreginers fighting.
Sky's coverage of boxing is a farce, it's either mega-hyped average british fighters on box office or the prizefighter apporach to try to unearth the next figther they can hype .
I remember years ago, the Morales v Barrera fights & Sky only showed the first one at the very last second, up until the day before there was no mention of it, not in the schedules, it might as well have not existed, despite the fact that it was a fight between the 2 best Super Bantams in the world & indeed 2 of the best pfp in the wolrd at the time.

Fwiw I think the Indo article had some valid points about parochialism and the hype surrounding Dunne, but the same accusation could easliy be thrown at someone like Ricky Hatton. Dunne may never have been world class but he was a good fighter, Cordoba was a good champion and it was a fantastic achievement to take his belt. He has had the good sense to get out at the right time, unlike so many others I hope he enjoys his retirement he has certainly earned it

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sligobhoy67

"You just have listed stats to me" - no I gave you FACTS which blew your bull**** opinions out of the water.

You genuinely havent a clue about the subject you are discussing - that is obvious from your replies.

What American fighters should be have beaten? Please let me know this because I would love to hear.

"No interest in the heavy weight division either - but could watch Mexican fighters all day" - so what! whats that got to do with this? I dont care what a fighters nationality is - I would prefer to watch a good fight/fighter and be blind to their nationality.

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But you see that your opinion, lets be fair most people outside of ireland havent heard of Dunne - why cant you accept this, big fish in small pound. Why is this?
Compare Wayne Macullagh and his fights in the USa? American figheters? None, but a few Mexicans would be nice
Lets be honest many knew that his defense wouldn't last too long, and it didnt, not much of a champion then?
Dont lose the rag - you love Dunne, I just think he was overrated .........in ireland - difference of opinion
Sure westlife can fill a stadium in ireland - big deal, doesnt prove anything even if thats a fact!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aberdonian Stu

Americans rarely challenge at Super Bantam or lower and usually the dominant fighters are from Central and South America or Asia as they tend to produce the most champions at the lighter weights. Dunne beat a legit champion from a country which has produced no small amount of serious fighters over the years, including one Roberto Duran, so to simply write off his reign because of the nationality of the man he beat is silly. Dunne made an impact in the US, where all but two of his 14 fights over there were nationally televised, and his win over Cordoba got plenty of coverage over there even if it didn't get much coverage in Britain.

For what it's worth here's my take on his retirement.

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My point was that they usually box in America - follow the money and the prestige
re pac man, Cotto, Morales, Mosley, Hopkins, mayweather et al
Hell even calzaghe and hatton had to venture out to the states
the O2 in Dublin isnt Madison square garden

You are jumping from point to point and trying to make out that I am some sort of Dunne nuthugger.

So lets break this down because its the only why to show someone that they are talking bs.

A. "America is where its at though, anybody seriosuly thinking that Europe is a strong hold in boxing is deluded"

I pointed out that Europe is a strong hold and gave example of some of the biggest fights in the world take place in Europe - the US is no longer the be all and end all of boxing. Sure Calzaghe didnt fight in a big fight until the end of his career. Unless you are involved in a super fight which requires PPV and a Las Vegas casino then you dont need America.

B. "Dunne - sure his world title win barely registered in the UK never mind the USA"

Maybe not in the mainstream but again that is because of TV and the nature of boxing - again unless you are in the World P4P Top 10 there will rarely be more than a passing mention in the mainstream media. How much coverage in the mainstream media does Juan Manuel López or Gamboa get in Ireland or the UK? Tis type of stuff is always localised. But you ask any boxing fan outside Irealnd about the Dunne-Cordoba fight and I will guarentee you they watched it on YouTube. Like I said The Ring voted it 3rd best fight of the year and Sports Illustrated voted it fight of the year.

C. "No interest in the heavy weight division either - but could watch Mexican fighters all day"

You now stop even discussing Dunne and merely state you like a certain nationality. Wow!! weak!!

How many fighters did Dunne face in his career - could you watch all of them "all day"?

D. Now this is when you really start embarrassing yourself - "lets be fair most people outside of ireland havent heard of Dunne - why cant you accept this, big fish in small pound. Why is this?"

When did I say that Dunne was anything else but a big fish in a small pond? I recognise what Dunne is/was - but he was a world class fighter - not an elite fighter at this weight but just below that - definately world class, like I have said 5-10 world ranking class.

E. "Compare Wayne McCullagh and his fights in the USa? American figheters? None, but a few Mexicans would be nice"

Not sure what your point is here. McCullough was at the top of the tree for a lot longer time than Dunne but how many McCullough fights in the US were shown on Irish TV?

F. "Lets be honest many knew that his defense wouldn't last too long, and it didnt, not much of a champion then?"

When did I say he had a great defense - you seem to be scrapping the bottom of the barrell now.

G. "Dont lose the rag - you love Dunne, I just think he was overrated .........in ireland - difference of opinion"

I aint losing the rag - I am not a Dunne fan - I in fact had £150 on Cordoba to knock Dunne out. Is he overrated in Ireland? I dont know, I dont live in Ireland - how do people rate him?

In fact I think I have lost the point you were making in the first place because it just seems that you are lashing out at Dunne because he isnt a good or as big as Manny Pacquaio and in the process making yourself sound a bit bitter for some reason.

I am very balanced with regards my view of Dunne, I recognise that much of the fighters he faced post US and pre Cordoba were canon fodder - but what he achieved on the fight of the Cordoba fight stands as a testiment to what he achieved. He won the European title and held a version, although for a very brief time, of the world title.

tx for the reply - knew I shouldn't have mentioned westlife!
My point was and is that Dunne was nothing too much to get excited about - unless of course you are irish then thats great, yeah lets have a party......
i

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bennocelt

My point was and is that Dunne was nothing too much to get excited about - unless of course you are irish then thats great, yeah lets have a party......
i

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But that's true of virtually every fighter in the world, exceptions are most notably Pacman & Mayweather but 95% of the others, even most world champions are unknown outside their own country and/or boxing circles.