Colm Murphy to Defend Commonwealth Title, Broadcast Live on BBC Sport

Colm Murphy is scheduled to defend his Commonwealth silver featherweight title against Kasimu Hamad Haji. This bout will take place at the Ulster Hall on Saturday, February 1, and will be broadcast live via BBC Sport NI. The co-main event will feature John Cooney, who will risk his Celtic super-featherweight belt in a match against Welsh fighter Nathan Howells. The fight card, named ‘Nations Fight Night’, is also set to include former European cruiserweight champion Tommy McCarthy, alongside Jack O’Neill, Charles McDonagh, Teo Alin, and Kate Radomska, who are all scheduled to compete. This event in Belfast will be available for viewing on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website, with renowned commentator Jim Neilly providing commentary for the matches. Murphy, who secured a victory against Erick Omar Lopez in November, stated, “I’m fully in camp now. There might be a wee break on Christmas day but on boxing day you can guarantee I’ll be in the gym training hard.” Murphy further commented that competing at the Ulster Hall holds a “special” significance for him, expressing his hope that the event’s broadcast across BBC Sport will draw increased viewership to the sport. He remarked, “It’s really is special, my grandad used to come here [to the Ulster Hall] a lot,” adding, “He’s not here now to see me fight but I know that he’s somewhere, very proud. “My granny over in London has never seen me fight but hopefully she’ll now have a chance to watch.” McCarthy conveyed that fighting at the Ulster Hall is “very exciting” and that the venue possesses “a real sense of history.” The 34-year-old fighter commented, “It’s great to be in the Ulster Hall again. It’s iconic and all the greats come through here.” Following his loss of the European cruiserweight title to Chris Billam-Smith in 2021, McCarthy has experienced three defeats in his six subsequent fights. Nevertheless, he believes he retains the capability to return to that competitive standard. He stated, “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t think I could operate at the highest level.” He continued, “I had a close fight with Chris Billam-Smith, who went on to become the champion. Anyone who has beaten me has been at the top of the food chain. “I belong in that company. Over the next couple of years I’m going to get the head down and get back to where I belong.”