Magee to make first defence in Dublin

EUROPEAN super-middleweight champion Brian Magee will defend his title against Armenian Roman Aramian in Dublin's National Stadium on September 11.

The Lisburn man is relishing the fight and can't wait to display the same skills that he has used to claim British and IBO titles during an illustrious 11–year career.

"Winning the European title by stopping Larsen in his backyard was probably the best win of my career," he said. "It's made people sit up and take notice and I'm rated now by all the world governing bodies and both the WBC and WBA have me rated number 5 in the World," said the 35-year-old.

"I've sat down with my training team to watch a few of Aramian's fights and I'm expecting a tough night. He's a come forward attacking fighter and you can bet he will look to raise his game because it's the biggest opportunity of his career.

"I'm experienced enough to know that at this level there are no easy nights so we will be prepared for all eventualities. Between now and fight time my team will devise a fight plan and any contingencies we need to plan for. I'm so close now to my goal of a World title shot that I can't afford any slip ups."

Promoter Brian Peters says Brian is one of Irish Boxing's great servants.

"To win the European title in the manner he did by winning the title on the road in such emphatic fashion was a fantastic achievement and I'm delighted to be able to give him the opportunity to make his first defence at home in what should be a tough assignment against Roman Aramian," said Peters.

26-year-old Aramian boasts 30 wins from 38 contests with a fearful 20 knockouts to his credit. He has mixed with some of Europe's best fighters and is enjoying a five-fight winning streak. Brian's manager Pat Magee is also hopeful of the southpaw's chances of retaining his title.

"The super-middleweight division is the hottest commodity in boxing at the moment right now with the success of the Super Six tournament format. Brian would dearly love to get involved in that mix and there is always the possibility that he could enter by the back door if he were to win a world title. He has followed the tournament avidly and has ambitions to fight the winner."

Brian will co-feature alongside Spaniard Kiko Martinez, a dynamite puncher nicknamed "La Sensacion", who is all too familiar to Dublin fans after knocking out their unbeaten hero Bernard Dunne in 86 seconds back in August 2007. Martinez faces Arsen Martirosyan as he vies for the same European super-bantamweight belt he took from Dunne three years ago.