Luck of the Irish: Third Times The Charm?
Ireland's Heavyweight champion, "The Clones Colossus" Kevin McBride, who also holds the distinction of being the youngest Olympian Super-Heavyweight competitor, is getting a surprise title shot for the WBO Heavyweight title this August on the 5th!
McBride stunned the boxing world in 2005 with his TKO defeat over 2x Heavyweight champion "Iron" Mike Tyson. The bout was originally a gross mismatch, between the contender Tyson, and the journeyman McBride, so much in fact all bets were off, as all critics did not give the gigantic Irishman a chance.
McBride at 6'6" and weighing in over 280 pounds (20 stones), is to be the first Irishman in ninety-eight years to fight for the Heavyweight crown, the last was Jem Roche who lost to champion Tommy Burns by KO in the 1st round. Before Roche, another Irishman, born in Cork, named Tom Sharkey fought for the Heavyweight crown in 1899 against James J. Jefferies, losing a close 25 round decision.
McBride understands how important a chance like this is, as he was quoted as saying "Third time has to be the charm", as he will be the third man thus far from Ireland to challenge for the title. Originally, after the Tyson win, McBride tried to get a shot at WBA champion John Ruiz, but negotiations fell through as Ruiz lost to Russian giant Nicolay Valuev, who stands 7'3" and 325 pounds.
McBride was gunning then for the Russian "King Kong", as Don King has dubbed him, but was instead given a surprise shot at the newly crowned WBO champion Serguei Lyakhovich, who like McBride, was an under-dog in his fight with then champion Lamon Brewster, but stunned the critics with a one-sided 12 round decision over Brewster, who was being campaigned as the next "great heavyweight".
Still, many say McBride is the under-dog going into this fight, as they feel 'The White Wolf' (Lyakhovich) and his hand speed and over-all skill will dominate the gentleman giant from the Emerald Isle.
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