BIG BANG RETURNS TO SUTCLIFFE
KO Entertainment today announced the return of former European Champion and World title challenger Willie Casey to Dublin to unite with former coach Philip Sutcliffe. Big Bang Willie Casey exploded onto the Irish boxing scene as a relatively unknown fighter under two times Olympian Phil Sutcliffe following success in the Prizefighter series back in 2010. The Limerick favorite then went on to land the EBU European title against Tallaght’s Paulie Hyland before a world title shot against the awesome Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux proved too big a step Casey. Casey’s loss to Rigondeaux which also proved financially devastating for his promotion company Dolphil Promotions forced him to revaluate his career which resulted in a short lived move to Cork manager Gary Hyde before Casey settled in Belfast at the Gleann Gym under the watchful eye of father and sound team Paul and Sean McCullough. Based in Belfast since the summer of 2011 the unbeaten former European title holder has found the traveling and long periods away from the family he adores as the overriding factor in his move back to the Crumlin Gym.
“This has been a very difficult decision for me and I have enjoyed every second of my time with Paul and Sean. They have been so helpful to me during my time in Belfast and I wont ever forget the encouragement and learning I received from them guys”.
I have four young children and its so difficult to be so far away for such long periods of time, it just got to the point where I had to make this decision. There was only every going to one other trainer I would have went to and that is Phil Sutcliffe. We achieved some great things together and I’m really confident with the way the guys have been running things in Dublin that we will do really well again”.
The current WBO Inter-Continental super bantamweight champion will remain involved with Belfast based promoters Emerald Promotions who have fully supported his relocation to Dublin.
“We totally understand the difficulties facing Willie traveling to Belfast from Limerick and being so far away from his children and wife. Willie will now train in Dublin. We have developed a very good working relationship with the guys in Dublin and we at Emerald feel that there could be a number of benefits from this move” said Chris Graham from Emerald Promotions.
The good news for Irish boxing fans is that Willie Casey will now be added to the Homecoming Bill in Dundalk on the 9th of March, where he will join stalemates Noel O Brien and Philip Sutcliffe Jr who makes his debut on the card.
Tickets for the Dundalk card are available from Stephen on 0879537526 and details regarding Willie Casey’s opponent will be released shortly.