Mark Chamberlain is back in Dublin on Saturday after withdrawing from the first meeting with Pierce O'Leary in March because of a chest infection. The pair will now fight at the 3Arena for the IBO light-welterweight belt, with O'Leary defending his unbeaten record in front of home support.
Chamberlain said the original withdrawal followed a serious setback at home: “I had an ambulance sent to my house and was told to get onto a course of antibiotics, either way the fight's been offered to me for a second time so here we go again.” He is 27 years old and comes in with 17 wins and one defeat, while O'Leary is 26 and unbeaten across 19 fights.
Pierce O'Leary in Dublin
O'Leary fought Maxi Hughes after Chamberlain withdrew and stopped him within five rounds. That result kept the title route moving for O'Leary, who will box in Dublin for the second time as a professional.
He also leaned on the home-city setting in the build-up, saying: “There's nothing like fighting in Dublin and having support like this is priceless,” and adding: “Mark can study me all he likes but I'm the wrong person to study, the way that we've been preparing in the gym is special.”
Mark Chamberlain's return
Chamberlain has framed the rematch through the first cancellation and the pressure around a title fight. “He's got a bit of a bee in his bonnet this time around,” he said, while also stating: “Boxing's a dangerous sport even when you are at full strength and if my team let me go into the biggest fight of my life after what I had been through, then they would not be there for my best interests.”
Before Saturday, O'Leary has kept reminding Chamberlain that he withdrew from the original bout, while Chamberlain has said he was not fit to box after the chest infection. Chamberlain is coming into the contest after a draw with Jack Rafferty last summer, which gives this return a sharper edge than a routine rescheduling.
3Arena title fight
O'Leary put the pressure back on at the final media conference before Saturday's fight, saying: “Thanks to Mark for showing up this time.” The fight now goes ahead with the belt on the line at the 3Arena in Dublin, after March became a missed date and Saturday became the one that finally counts.
