Forget the Champions League final, here’s what could be THE match of Saturday night.
Punch-lines is talking O’Neill v O’Neil and it will have more shots than Liverpool v Real Madrid.
Everyone has been talking about the game in Kiev being an attacking feast so much that it’s inevitable it will be 0-0 after 120 minutes.
But for guaranteed fireworks, the Dolphin Centre is the place to be, as Richard O’Neill faces Greg O’Neil who, as punch-lines has mentioned four or five times over the last few weeks are old team-mates from Gus Robinson Developments in Hartlepool.
O’Neil (one L) is still there under the guidance of Peter Cope and Alan Temple with O’Neill (two Ls) with Pete Shepperson in Darlington and managed by Saturday night’s promoter, Steve Wraith.
These guys are no-nonsense operators which is probably why there is only one journeyman on either fighter’s record and there will be no backward steps as they go at it hammer and tongs.
“It’s a great fight and looks an even one,” said Shepperson. “Neither of the lads needed to take this, it’s a hard fight.
“They probably think they have the edge, I personally think we have the edge.
“It’s going to be an explosive fight, you only have to have watched Greg once to know that he never turns up to win on points.
“Both lads are very powerful and capable of finishing the fight with one punch.
“They’ve sparred endless rounds together, they know what each other’s about, they’ve both hurt each other in sparring.
“If it goes six rounds it’ll be the biggest surprise of the night.”
Richard, 31, goes into the event unbeaten after four appearances, with three wins and a draw, his victory over Geraint Goodridge in December his debut for Shepperson/ Wraith. Richard is pictured above (centre) with Chris Burton (left) and Chrissy Wood.
“He’s in great shape,” said Shepperson. “He’s strong, he’s sparred well, I can’t wait to see it.”
Greg (5-4) has been stopped in his last two outings, though his defeat to Diego Costa last July was a fight of the year candidate in which both men visited the canvas.
There are a limited number of tickets remaining for the show which will be available on the door at the Dolphin Centre. Doors open 6.30pm, with the boxing due off at 7pm.
Words: Roy Kelly
