February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
By Mark Jones
DUBLIN — Professional boxing returned to Dublin last weekend when former Olympic gold medalist Michael Carruth achieved his ambition of a world title when he won the WAA welterweight championship with a points decision over Scott Dixon at the National Basketball Arena in Tallaght.
Carruth was given a much tougher examination over the 12 scheduled rounds than expected by Scotland’s Dixon. Although he deserved a more comfortable margin of victory than a single point, Carruth was in trouble during the ninth round when his knee hit the canvas. Had the referee ruled a knockdown at that stage, the result could well have been a draw.
Carruth’s trainer, former world champion Steve Collins, was convinced that his fighter had won by a wider margin.
"I was surprised in the end by the referee’s vedict," Collins said.
The six-fight card was promoted by Dublin millionaire Syl McClean. All six Irish boxers, styled as Team Ireland, won their contests. The chief supporting bout saw Jim Rock step up to the super middleweight division and comfortably outpoint England’s Michael Monaghan.
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McLean is planning another promotion at a new venue in Dublin’s Liberties in November.