Matthew Macklin v Ronald “Winky Wright – Las Vegas April 9th

Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright

“I think the story here is that you have Matthew Macklin, who has worked himself up the rankings and put together a pretty impressive streak of wins and now is considered one of the best contenders from Europe, so for him this is a big step up.

Gallagher told British boxers that expects a hard fight, against one of the best  boxers of recent times and insists that a victory would see Macklin ready for a world title challenge against Sergio Martinez, the WBC middleweight champion.

“Well Matthew will be rolling the dices in Vegas and hopefully he can hit the jackpot, Its a big fight, against a big name who is well known to the British fans, he’s fought Ensley Bingham, Steve Foster Snr. Adrian Dodson, good fighters and he beat them over here in Britain. said Gallagher.

Winky Wright is an accomplished fighter, a great fighter and people might be saying he is 39 and he has been beaten in his last two fights, but look who they were against, Paul Williams and Bernard Hopkins, who turned 46 yesterday and was unlucky not to get the decision against Pascall last time out.” – Joe Gallagher

“I’m reading comments already that Macklin cant beat Wright he will have no where to go! Listen that is taking great credit away from Winky Wright.

“Them fighters over there in the States, Shane Mosley, Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, they all live the life and look after themselves and that’s why they have a great longevity to their careers.

“Matthew Macklin against Winky Wright is going to be a hard fight, a tough fight and it gives Macklin the chance to pit his wits against one of the best and it will be  a great victory if he can pull it off and it would set him up nicely for the world title against Martinez.” Gallagher added

Interview with Joe Gallagher on Matthew Macklin in 2010 and future plans – Jan 13th

Washington-born Wright has just one victory in nearly five years and will need to fashion a stand-out showing against a young, up and coming Macklin, who has been touted for world honours this year and is ranked highly by all four organisations.

Macklin’s decision to fight Wright could pave the way for St Helens Commonwealth and WBA Inter-Continental champion Martin Murray  (21-0) to challenge Darren Barker (22-0) for the vacant European and full set of domestic honours, including Barkers British title.