'Big Bang' Casey Wins Prizefighter

Irish fighter Willie Casey won the Super-bantamweight Prizefighter competition at York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

Casey beat Paul McElhinney on points in the final to claim the trophy and winner's cheque to the value of £32,000. McElhinney replaced Ricky Owen in the final after he was ruled out with a cut, as a wildcard.

'Who knows what the future holds?' Casey told Sky Sports after the fight, 'I might get a shot at the European title after winning Prizefighter. I'm very proud of everything I've done.'

Casey improved to 8-0 (5ko).

The Limerick based fighter was a replacement for Wayne McCullough, after the former WBC Bantamweight champion pulled out with a hand injury.

McCullough Forced to Quit Prizefighter

Bantamweight Wayne McCullough (27-0 18KO) has been forced to quit the Prizefighter tournament, due to start on the 19th May, because of a hand injury.

The former WBC Bantamweight title holder and 1992 silver olympic medalist will be out for up to two months. The 39 year old has not fought for two years and is winless since 2004.

The Belfast born fighter has been replaced in Barry Hearn's tournament by Irishman Willie Casey (5-0 4KO).

'I am really devastated by missing out on Prizefighter but the hand injury is pretty bad,' McCullough said.

'My doctor has advised me not to use the hand at all for training or fighting for the next six to eight weeks.'