Thomond Park is hoping to pack as many as 34,000 paying customers into the stadium on the second day of the Rugby World Cup but they will not be there for for the oval ball game. They will be there instead to witness local hero Andy Lee defend his WBO Middleweight Title in a high profile bout with English challenger Billie Joe Saunders.
There are also discussions taking place about having Katie taylor fight on the same card, the first world title fight to be held in the Republic of Ireland since Bernard Dunne’s time at the top and the biggest boxing event since Mohammed Ali fought before 25,000 at Croke Park in 1972.
The fight takes place on the weekend of the All Ireland Football Final at Croke Park, and will follow on from Ireland playing Canada at the Rugby World Cup in the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff at 2.30 that afternoon. It promises to be among the biggest ever weekends in Irish sport.
“Hosting this event is a huge boost for the stadium and region, and we are very much looking forward to a first for Thomond Park with the staging of this WBO Middleweight Championship,” said Stadium Director John Cantwell.
“Off the back of winning his title we were fortunate to have Andy Lee presented at half-time during the Munster v Leinster game last December and the reception he received that day was fantastic.”
“I’m sure the supporters will be out in force again to cheer their local hero on as he defends his world title on home soil in September.”
“This is a dream come true for me,” added Lee.
“After becoming World Champion, my first wish was to defend my title in Limerick.”
“It’s important for me to repay the city and country who have supported me throughout my career. I want to thank everyone involved in organizing this event, it will be a very special night.”
It will be interesting to see if the crowd attracted to MMA and Conor McGregor will be a key part of the audience, or indeed whether McGregor himself may become part of the events on the night, albeit in a promotional rather than a fighting capacity.
Tickets ranging from €30 on the terraces to €500 at ringside are on sale now. The fight will be televised via pay per view on the box nation channel available through Sky and other TV service providers.
Image Credit: Donall Farmer / Inpho.ie
