American option for boxer Heagney

Jan 19 2008 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

HUDDERSFIELD boxer Eugene Heagney, left, could go Stateside in his bid to win the Irish bantamweight title.

The former Rawthorpe amateur is in line for a rematch with Colin Moffett, who claimed the vacant 8st 6lb crown by stopping him in eight rounds in Dublin last month.

Irish-American promoter Eddie McLaughlin was impressed with the performances of both men, and believes another meeting would go down well in New York. The plan is to place the fight on the undercard of a Madison Square garden bill.

Heagney’s defeat was his first in seven professional fights.

The Michael Marsden-trained fighter had outpointed Moffett over eight rounds in Dublin in July to chalk up a sixth successive victory.

Both bouts were entertaining, with Heagney’s youthful promise and Belfast man Moffett’s grittier style contrasting nicely.

The 32-year-old Moffett has boxed 23 times, winning eight and drawing four.

Dublin-born Heagney, 24, boxed for England and reached the top four in the country as an amateur before turning professional with Rothwell’s Marsden in 2006.