0304

March 2004

MAGEE FIGHTING 'FIGHTING' NORDIN 17TH APRIL

The long running question as to who Brian Magee will face during his next defence of his IBO super middleweight title at the King's Hall, has finally been answered.

It had been hoped that Magee would first take on Markus Beyer, who instead opted for soft target Andre Thysse.

There was also talk of Robin Reid facing off against Magee, a fight I had hoped to see as some sort of justice to the wronged Reid, but in the event, Magee has settled for more a more pedestrian opponent.

Magee takes on Nordin-Ben-Salah, better known as 'Fighting Nordin,' a dutch-based Moroccan.

I expect him to join the list of recent Magee victims, the last three of which have been stoppage wins.

Although Nordin sports a 36-2-1 record, like many Dutch-based fighters, he has faced a very poor level of European opposition, and has a very padded record.

Magee, who appears to be improving steadily and gaining in confidence with every defense of his IBO bauble, will be expected to turn in another stoppage win against the ordinary Nordin, who has been stopped twice already in recent bouts against lightly regarded Francisco Mora and by Sidney Msutu in 2001.

Fighting Nordin is going to need all his warrior spirit against the hard-hitting southpaw Magee.