Matthew Macklin has signed a multi-year deal with New York-based DiBella Entertainment that brings the English-domiciled fighter under the same promotional umbrella as fellow world ranked Irishman Andy Lee.
In Detroit where he's training for his make-or-break October 1 rematch with Bryan Vera, another DiBella pug, Lee hailed Macklin's decision as good for his career.
"I think it's a good move for Matthew, [promoter] Lou [DiBella] will be able get him some big fights," Lee told the Echo on Sunday. And mulling the possibility of an all-Irish middleweight clash with the one-time hurling star out of Ballingary, Co. Tipperary, Lee added: “And you never know, if we're to fight someday, it will make it easier to make the fight.”
Said Macklin in a statement released by his new promoters: "I am really happy to be signing with DiBella Entertainment. I've known Lou DiBella for many years. I met him in Manchester when Paulie Malignaggi fought Lovemore Ndou in 2008.
"We spoke about doing something together last year, but the timing wasn't right. I feel that we're now on the same wavelength. I'm excited about the future and I feel that I am in very good hands with Lou."
Briefly based in the United States a few years ago, the 28-3 [19 KOs] Macklin, also known as "Mack the Knife," is currently ranked fourth at 160 pounds by the World Boxing Association [WBA] and seventh by the World Boxing Organization [WBO]. Lee is second both in the WBA and WBO.
Macklin, who's 29, is coming off a disputed 12-round split points loss to WBA titlist Felix Sturm in Germany that some called a hometown decision.
"I went over to Germany and I proved myself. I felt that I won," said Macklin, who lost 116-112 on two of the judges' card. The third official had him beating Sturm 115-113.
"I feel that if we fought 100 times, I would beat him every time," Macklin remarked. "If it were up to me, I'd fight him next, although I don't think he has any intention of pursuing a rematch with me. If he wants to fight me again, it's an easy fight to make, as he is his own promoter.
"I think he knows that he cannot beat me. He's not going to come to Ireland or England. Fighting Sturm in New York would be great, but I would go back to Germany if I had to. I'd expect a fairer crack at the fight. I think the German officials would be under a lot more pressure to make sure things were on the level, given the controversy of our first fight."
He said the Sturm fight had proved that he was one of the top three middleweights in the world.
Lou DiBella, meanwhile, is excited about his new recruit and ranks him only second to Sergio Martinez in the world.
"I viewed signing Macklin as a no-brainer," said DiBella. "I have Sergio Martinez, the real middleweight champ, the best in the world. But clearly Matthew handled Sturm with ease and he has a claim at being the second-best middleweight in the world. He's going to want a shot at Sergio and eventually that will make sense
"I'm very, very happy with the deal," DiBella continued. "I happen to like the kid very much and that is part of it. There are certain guys who have very pleasing styles for TV. This guy rumbles but he also has skills. He's fun to watch and made a case that he stands near the top of the middleweight division with the way he fought Sturm."
BARE-KNUCKLE GUNN-FIGHT
In the first sanctioned bare-knuckle boxing match since 1889, Bobby "The Celtic Warrior" Gunn knocked boxer Rich Stewart in the third round of their contest in Scottsdale Scottsdale, Arizona, last Saturday.
With the win Gunn claimed the vacant bare-knuckle boxing title that was last held by John L. Sullivan.
"It means a great deal to me to have won the way I did," said Gunn. "Early on I was able to go out there and establish my pace to the fight, and executed the way I planned."
