Belfast Promotions Run Holiday Inn Fight Night

Team Alio and Belfast Promotions stage another fight night explosion on Friday 20th November at The Holiday Inn, Belfast. The last time they promoted a show at the Ormeau Road venue, in November 2006, Craig Watson appeared alongside Scott Belshaw, James Gorman and Scott Jordan.

This time round the surprise headliner is talented Cuban Alexei Acosta who meets Sean Hughes over eight rounds in the bantamweight division. The 28-year-old, who is based in Cork and fights under the Gary Hyde promotional banner, was due to get a crack at the vacant WBA Intercontinental title. The world body strangely rejcted mooted opponent Jose Saez of Argentina and when his replacement, Nicaraguan Rene Alvarado withdrew, the belt was taken off the menu.

In steps Sean “Short Fuse” Hughes, a familiar face to fight fans in Britain and Ireland; Hughes fought Bernard Dunne in 2005 and holds a win over Esham Pickering. Former star amateur Acosta, aged 21, is now 8-0, with all victories inside the distance. This will be his first significant step-up in class and Alexei (pictured below) is expected to come through it, probably on points, while a stoppage would be a statement of his intent.

Some local talent will also take centre stage, including Luke Wilton – son of show promoter Alan - as he tackles rugged Muharem Osmanov at super-flyweight. Wilton (pictured below) posted a points win over Kevin Coglan at the recent Odyssey show and is eyeing a British title crack in the not too distant future.

Former touted amateur JJ McDonagh makes his professional debut against fellow first timer Emmanuel Olatokunbo Oshunrinde at super-middleweight.

Popular East-Belfast super-featherweight Michael Harvey is looking to put a debut loss behind him as he takes on Michael Devine. Paddy McDonagh, Gavin Putney and Niall Diamond make up the remainder of the bill.

Proposed Bouts

Super Middleweight 4rnds

JJ McDonagh (Debut) vs Emmanuel OLATOKUNBO OSHUNRINDE (Debut)

Welterweight 4rnds

Niall Diamond (Debut) vs Gavin Putney (Debut)

Super Featherweight 4rnds

Michael Harvey (0-1-0) vs Michael Devine (1-0-0)

Middleweight 4rnds

Paddy McDonagh (Debut) vs Galin Vladimirov (1-0-0)

Flyweight 6rnds

Luke Wilton (5-2-1) vs Muharem Osmanov (1-2-0)

Bantamweight 8rnds