Promoter Tom Moran, the former manager of heavyweight titlist Tim Witherspoon and current manager of former world junior middleweight champion Kassim “The Dream” Ouma, has announced what he calls “A major Irish boxing show” to be held at the Northeast Philadelphia National Guard Armory on Saturday, October 4.
Headlining the card will be Ouma, 25-5-1 (15 KOS), a native of Uganda who because of his relationship with Moran and several Irish fighters has described himself as being “Black Irish.” Ouma was the subject of a lauded 2008 documentary film called “Kassim the Dream,” which chronicled his life from being a kidnapped child soldier in Uganda to his ultimate defection and rise to world boxing champion.
Fighting in separate 8 round bouts in the co-features are extremely popular junior middleweight James Moore, 16-1 (10 KOS), a native of County Wicklow who fights out of New York, and middleweight Simon “Slick Fighting Irish” O’Donnell, 6-1 (3 KOS), a native of County Galway who fights out of Philadelphia.
“This is going to be a great New York-Philadelphia Irish boxing celebration,” said Moran, who stressed that once New Yorkers hit the New Jersey Turnpike it is only a 55 minute ride to the fight venue. “This is going to be the biggest night of Irish boxing in Philadelphia since Tommy Loughran fought here in the 1930s. If anyone was at that fight, they are welcome to come to this one and compare.”
Moran is thrilled to be promoting in Northeast Philadelphia, which along with neighboring Bucks County has large Irish and Irish-American communities.
“The Irish have always come out to support their fighters,” Moran said. “In Moore and O’Donnell they will get to see two of the most exciting young prospects in the world. I have always considered Kassim to be an honorary Irishman, so it is going to be a great night.”
“Fighting in Philadelphia will be a thrill for me,” said Moore, the longtime captain of the Irish national amateur team who is trained by Lennox Blackmoore. “The fans there are very enthusiastic, so I am looking forward to putting on a great show and increasing my fan base.”
Tickets will be available during the week of August 25. For more information, call 267-251-6109.
CONTACT for James Moore: Bob Mladinich, Premier Strategies & Communications, LLC, phone 917-204-5916; e-mail: Robert@premierstrat.com
