Peters predicts long world reign for Dunne

Dunshaughlin boxing promoter Brian Peters has announced that WBA Super Bantamweight Champion Bernard Dunne will make the first defence of his world title at The O2, Dublin on Saturday, 26th September when he faces number one rated contender Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym from Thailand on the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night. Dunne will return to the scene of his sensational world title win last March when he took the crown from Ricardo Cordoba after a six knockdown thriller at the Liffeyside venue. The 29 year-old will face another demanding night next month as he looks to repel the challenge of Poonsawat, the man referred to as 'Thailand's Manny Pacquiao', courtesy of an impressive career that has seen him win all but one of his 39 professional fights with 27 of those wins coming via KO. The mandatory defence was ordered by the WBA in the wake of Dunne's victory over Cordoba, but Brian Peters remains confident that the Dubliner will enjoy a long reign as world champion. "Poonsawat has been waiting for a shot at the title for over 18 months now so he's a very determined man," said Peters. "He says he has no fear coming to Dublin to take on Bernard, but let's not forget that Ricardo Cordoba said exactly the same thing. "Bernard's performance against Cordoba was absolutely sensational. The heart, conditioning, skill and power he demonstrated on the night proved once and for all that he belongs up there with the very best and the scary thing is that I believe there is still more to come from Bernard. Poonsawat already holds a win over the aforementioned Cordoba, but his sole defeat came in Germany in 2006 when he lost a close decision to then WBA World Bantamweight Champion Wladimir Sidorenko. The defeat however hasn't put the Thai off travelling to Europe once again to try and rip the title from Dunne. "I've been waiting for this chance for a very long time, but I've kept busy and I am very determined to finally get what I deserve," said the 28 year-old. "I believe that I will knock Dunne out inside seven rounds. Clearly Dunne has a great fighting heart, but I don't see him as a very skilled boxer. He proved against Cordoba that he has a big heart and maybe he is a big puncher too, but we will see what happens next month." Poonsawat is managed by Niwat Laosuwanwat, the man who guided the career of Thailand's greatest ever fighter, the legendary Khaosai Galaxy. Details of the undercard for the Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night will be revealed shortly, but will also include Cavan boxer Andy Murray's first defence of his European Union Lightweight title.