Champ Moore setting sights on Euro success

11:56am Tuesday 3rd October 2006

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JAMIE Moore put his celebrations on hold after regaining his domestic title in a battle which is being hailed as one of the greatest British fights of all time.

The light-middleweight knocked out Matthew Macklin in a brutal encounter at the George Carnall Leisure Centre in Manchester on Friday night.

The Walkden southpaw sent the challenger crashing to the canvas midway through the 10th round, before being stretchered out of the ring and rushed to hospital.

Champion Moore cancelled his after-fight party to visit his fellow warrior's bedside at Hope Hospital in Salford, and returned the following day again to check on the Birmingham-born Manchester-based fighter's condition.

Macklin, who was treated for dehydration and exhaustion, has since been given the all-clear and was discharged on Saturday, but now it is Moore who will be waiting on the diagnosis of medical experts.

The 27-year-old will see a specialist on Thursday about his troublesome shoulder injury, before he starts plotting for a European or World title.

Moore has already revealed he intends to give up his British belt to make the step up in class, with European champion Michele Piccirillo firmly set in his sights.

"I'm definitely going to move up a level now - 100 per cent," said Moore.

"I believe I am world class now and I can win a world title. I have heart and I have proved I can do it at the top level.

"Sky TV are over the moon with me at the moment so hopefully they will be able to sort something for May time next year.

"But before that I think I'll probably be looking at a 10-round international contest. It will be against a decent opponent - but a bit easier than my last fight.

"I don't know if I could go through another of the same so soon after."

The ferocity of Friday's battle, while making it a certainty to be named domestic fight of the year, shocked many who saw it, not least Moore himself.

Moore, never one to do things the easy way, once again proved he has heart the skill and heart to succeed at the top level, but admitted the fight nearly did not go ahead.

"I suffered a bad cut in training two weeks before the fight and needed four stitches in my eye lid," he added.

"But I wasn't going to let that stop me.

"I've watched the fight again and just can't believe I was in the middle of that - it was somethinmg special."

l Audley Harrison has been handed a lifeline to his flagging career and will challenge Matt Skelton for the Commonwealth heavyweight title.

The 2000 Olympic gold medallist will take on Bedford brawler Skelton on the same card as Scott Harrison's WBO featherweight title defence against Nicky Cook at London's ExCel Arena on December 9.