Cuban Boxing Trio set for Celtic Crossing by British Boxing Aug 24th 2008

Ireland's boxing heroes will arrive home on Tuesday with Kenny Egan, Paddy Barnes and Darren Sutherland proudly showing off their Olympic wares. However another boxing trio touched down in Ireland this weekend intent on global domination. Cuban's Mike Perez, Luis Garcia and Alexei Acosta are three former World Junior Champions who spurned a place at the Beijing Olympics in order to concentrate on success in the pro ranks and bringing World titles to their newly adopted home city of Cork. Cork businessman Gary Hyde has brought all three to Leeside and the Cuban invasion started with the arrival of heavyweight sensation, Mike "The Rebel" Perez in January. Since his arrival he's racked up four wins with three of them coming in the very first round and he's now been joined by his two compatriots Garcia and Acosta. Perez will headline the "Celtic Crossing" event at the Neptune Stadium, Cork on Saturday, September 13th while Garcia and Acosta will make their professional debuts. Hyde believes all three are World Champions in the making. "I first saw Mike Perez in Liverpool in 2005 when he beat Kenneth Egan in a light heavyweight bout. He was only 19 at the time but his speed and power stood out and I knew then that this was a man who with the right guidance could become the heavyweight champion of the world. "We've all been proud of Kenny's tremendous performance in the Olympics and I think his achievements in Beijing underlines just how much potential Perez has. I've no doubt he will bring the world heavyweight title back to Cork." Hyde has equally high hopes for Acosta and Garcia. "Alongside Mike Perez these were the other two guys who caught my eye in recent years. I think they are made for the pro game and I've no doubt both of them would have taken Gold in Beijing had they not been more interested in turning pro." Hyde's bold claim is backed up by their results against their Cuban compatriots in recent years. Acosta beat Andry Laffita in this years Cuban championships but surrendered his Olympic berth to pursue his professional ambitions. Laffita took his place and on Sunday won Olympic Silver in the flyweight final in Beijing, As for Luis Garcia he easily outpointed middleweight representative Emilio Correa by 13 points to 3 in their last meeting but Correa still ended up on the plane to China. "The politics in amateur boxing denied Luis a place in Bejing because Correa's father was a Gold medallist in 1972 and he still has huge influence in Cuban boxing," explained Hyde. "Garcia proved himself the better man but it was no real surprise that it was Correa who got the nod when it came to Olympic selection. Correa ended up winning silver but I've no doubt that Garcia would have taken Gold but equally I've no doubt that he can now become World Middleweight Champion." Hyde says it's a chance for the Irish boxing public to see three future superstars of the sport up close and personal when they take to the ring in Cork next month. "Irish boxing is on a real high at the moment, the pro game has really taken off in the last few years and the performances of our amateurs at the Olympics was sensational. These three Cuban's will be adopted by Irish fight fans and with their power and skills they will be ones to watch all the way to World titles." The undercard for "Celtic Crossing" will also feature the best of the Fighting Irish with undefeated Cork prospect Gary "Spike" O'Sullivan featuring alongside fellow unbeaten pro's Jamie Power (Limerick), Michael Sweeney (Mayo) and Ian Tims (Dublin). Tickets for "Celtic Crossing" are available from Ticketmaster and all usual outlets. Photo: Billy MacGill

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