Interview with promising Irish cruiser Michael Sweeney by Steve Wellings Feb 26th 2008

Since its inception in the 1970's, the cruiserweight division has met with its fair share of detractors ever since. A safe haven for fighters too undisciplined to make light-heavyweight and not good enough for heavyweight, Evander Holyfield's name has been synonymous with the weight class which for many has provided scant entertainment. But as Bob Dylan once informed us, the times are changing and a new breed of talent is turning the denigrated division into a hub of activity. When Enzo Maccarinelli and David Haye clash on the 8th March, things will step up to a new level once again. One man who will be keenly monitoring developments is County Mayo cruiser Michael Sweeney, a three fight professional with an eye on bigger things in 2008. Married with two children, the likeable 24-year-old is expecting an explosive battle like the rest of us fight fans, “The big fight finally came off and I'll favour Haye but it's a hard one to call as one shot could do it”, stated Sweeney who calls himself The Storm. “I'll send my luck to both guys” he added cordially. If the world cruiserweight scene seems perennially weak then one glance at Ireland's IBU rankings reveals Bobby Gunn (who qualifies somehow) as number one in the list…enough said.  (I feel physically sick - Ed.) Like most pugilists, Michael followed in the footsteps of his father but interestingly so did his four brothers and all were Connaught champions. Thirteen year-old Gary Sweeney won the All-Ireland's last year and whilst sixteen year-old Jason is a capable amateur, Martin and Dave Sweeney hung up the gloves prematurely. “It's left to the rest of us,” says Sweeney, whose father Michael Snr runs the All-Stars amateur club in Ballinrobe, Co Mayo. Michael Jnr excelled into a proficient amateur himself, winning four Irish titles (also losing two finals), and boxing for Ireland ten times including two silver medals at the four nations; “I also boxed in Hungary in a multi-nation tournament getting silver. I had 100 amateur fights losing 21, with some very close contests.” The lure of the paid code proved too great and Michael switched pro in late 2007, making his debut on a Brian Peters show in Dublin's National Stadium and recording a confidence boosting second round stoppage. His other two contests have gone the stipulated four-round distance but that doesn't worry Sweeney who has since relocated his base in Rosmuc, Co Galway to concentrate on training full time. His trainer is former world title challenger Sean Mannion, a fifteen-year pro who lost to Mike McCallum; no shame there. “We get on very well and he knows his stuff. The famous Mike McCallum beat him over 15 rounds in 1984.” This of course was when Michael was just a year old but he is happy with the input of a close knit team: “I get a lot of help from my dad Michael Sweeney Snr and John Mongan and I'm sparring different guys all the time.” The path to a genuine title is fraught with pitfalls; however Sweeney remains realistic but confident about what he feels he can achieve in the sport. “I just take every step at a time. I would love to achieve a world title but plan on an Irish title, then European and then most of all the world, with a bit of luck. Luck is what we all need!” Indeed, but dedication and hard training also play a part and this is recognised by a typically tough training regime “I travel eighty miles a night, five days a week and then train for two hours before home again. I run six days a week and spar for three weeks before fights.  Then I'm up at 7.30am going for a run before it's off to the gym at 5.30pm for two hours of hard workout.” Sweeney is a family man who enjoys spending time with his wife and young children and finds time to avidly support Liverpool FC, “I love when it comes to Sunday!” he confesses. Frequent trips to the famed Kronk Gym in Detroit will not hurt progress in the slightest and America has always had a soft spot for genuine Irish crowd pleasers “I have been in Detroit with Andy Lee for a week because Andy is a good friend of mine. The two of us were on the Irish team in the amateur's and he is a nice guy. In fact, the whole Kronk team looked after me very well while I was there.” In closing, Michael plots his next move with an air of caution but also the excitement of an embryonic professional career getting into gear; a proposed shot on a big American fight card is a natural next step. “My team are bringing me to Boston to fight on 15th March and then 5th April in Castlebar Co Mayo, so that will be a big one for me.” No doubt, fighting in front of his home fans will be a daunting experience but with a bit of luck he could be returning to Mayo in the future as a headline attraction. “They want to keep me busy when I'm injury free,” adds Sweeney, whose message to his fans is short and simple “I just want to thank anyone that's looking out for me and say that the storm is going to strike hard and fast this year.” It may be early days for the young man with big hopes but the initial forecast looks favourable.

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