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10-round bout next for Dunne

February 16, 2011

By Staff Reporter

Valdez, 14-2-3 with 7 kockouts on his ledger, is the same age as Dunne (24) but has been fighting professionally since 1999. Listed as a super bantamweight by Boxingrec.com, he’ll be moving up in weight to take on the 126-pound Dunne, who is 13-0 (8 KOs) after his last bout five weeks ago.
According to Dunne’s manager, Brian Peters, it’s a timely challenge for his charge, as he continues his quest for boxing glory.
“This is the first time that Bernard has fought someone ranked above him,” he told the Belfast Telegraph. “He’s also a hungry fighter who has his own title ambitions.”
Dunne, who fights out of Los Angeles, was taken the six-round distance last month en route to a points decision over another Mexican boxer, Pedro Mora, in California.
He should expect to go more than a few rounds against Valdez, a lanky 5-foot-8 slugger who’s unbeaten since dropping a four-round decision to debuting U.S. Olympian Clarence Vinson at Madison Square Garden in January 2001.
Rust, however, could work to the Mexican’s disadvantage. Valdez will be coming off a seven-month layoff and will only be boxing for the second time in 14 months.
His last fight was a second-round TKO of one Geronimo Hernandez in his Juarez hometown. Before that, he’d gone another two rounds before posting a TKO against Antonio Valencia in June 2003.
Dunne, whose young career has been plagued by hand problems, was recently cleared to fight after hurting his right hand against Mora.

McCULLOUGH JOINS GOOSSEN
A week after offering to fight for free, Wayne McCullough signed a deal with Goossen Tutor Promotions that paves the way for his return to the ring.
Said GT president Dan Goossen in a statement last week: “I not only had the pleasure of working with Wayne back in the ‘America Presents’ days, but I also promoted his first fight at the Reseda Country Club in 1993.
“I’m honored to be working with him again, and there is no question in my mind that he has what it takes to make a lot of noise in the featherweight division in the future.”
Calling the Ulsterman a throwback to the great fighters of old, the promoter said McCullough had gone toe-to-toe with boxing’s best for over a decade.
“He’s what you want every fighter to be — hard nosed and willing to go to battle for every minute of every round,” he said. “No fan has ever been disappointed by a Wayne McCullough fight.”
Based in Las Vegas, the 34-year-old McCullough (26-4, 17 KOs), is a former World Boxing Council and North American Boxing Federation bantamweight titlist. However, he has not fought since losing a brutal 12-round decision to WBO featherweight champion Scott Harrison in Glasgow 17 months ago.
Before Goossen came forward, a desperate McCullough recently offered to fight for any promoter free of charge, just to have the opportunity of getting back in the ring.
“I would fight for free if it meant getting back in the ring because I only need one fight to prove that my last fight was totally out of character for me,” he said, alluding to the loss to Harrison.
“If a promoter is willing to put me on a show I am ready — and if I don’t put on a good show then don’t pay me.”
A date and opponent for McCullough’s comeback will be announced shortly.

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