boxingAugust 8, 2026·7 min reading·via BoxingScene

Mark Chamberlain Stuns Pierce O'Leary in Fight-of-the-Year Contender

Mark Chamberlain defeated Pierce O'Leary by stoppage in the 10th round, in a fight many are calling a fight-of-the-year contender. The bout took place in Dublin, with Chamberlain overcoming the hometown favorite.

Mark Chamberlain upset the odds, and the local fans in Dublin, as he stopped Pierce O’Leary in the 10th round to punctuate a breathtaking fight-of-the-year contender in Ireland.

Pat Brown joins BoxingScene from his old amateur gym, Sale West ABC, ahead of his British title fight with John Hedges. Brown reflects on his roots at the gym before discussing his upcoming domestic clash, the cruiserweight division, David Benavidez's move up in weight and the future of the sport. He also gives his blunt assessment of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury following their recent performances, explains why he believes both are past their best and predicts Fury to beat Joshua when they finally meet.

O’Leary, 19-1 (11 KOs) and ranked highly at junior welterweight, lost his footing in the second round, over-reaching and eager to impress, when Chamberlain clouted him with a spiteful left hand. The Irishman, widely expected to win beforehand, hit the deck and dabbed at his nose, which was already bleeding profusely.

Chamberlain, who likely nabbed the first round as well, was in complete control. The underdog’s timing and ability to manage the distance was proving the difference.

Another knockdown came in the third. A left hand, again unsighted, sent O’Leary to the mat for a second time. The crowd favorite, shocked and perhaps a little embarrassed, rose quickly, his bloody and surely broken nose by now an ugly sight.

O’Leary, to his credit, rallied with abandon in the fourth. Chamberlain, for the first time, was under pressure.

The fight, already a thriller, increased the heat in the fifth round. Chamberlain, reminding observers why he was once named as Turki Alalshikh’s favorite fighter, continued to pour on the pressure. Yet O’Leary, rising in confidence, seemed to have found his range. A right hand to the head, followed by a powerful shot to the ribs, suggested the tide was turning.

O’Leary tried to gain control of ring center in the sixth but found an opponent determined to do the same. But it was Chamberlain who still appeared the boss. Slicker and smarter, he retained his composure and pinged his opponent when he dared to stray too close. By now, desperation reeked from O’Leary.

The drama increased in the seventh. Chamberlain, 18-1-1 (13 KOs), took an overhand left right at the end of the round before O’Leary, like a man possessed, fired a savage right into the gut of his man.

Chamberlain, surely ahead on the cards, sank to the canvas in agony. He regained his feet just in time to hear the bell.

O’Leary then seemed to take over in the eighth. The claret that spurted from his nose every time he breathed out did not seem to bother him.

Chamberlain, understandably shattered, did his best to keep his tormentor at bay in the ninth. O’Leary’s inner grit only seemed to be getting stronger and, with three rounds remaining, he looked the likelier winner.

But the beauty of boxing – the unpredictability of it, the astonishing see-saw nature of it – showed itself in the 10th.

O’Leary swallowed a meaty left hand, Chamberlain then fired a right that landed flush before three further blows threatened to explode his opponent’s nose and robbed him of his equilibrium. The referee, rightly, rescued the home fighter to conclude a breathtaking battle.

Promoter Frank Warren, while confirming there was a rematch clause, likely said it best: “These two warriors did boxing proud tonight.”

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Tyson Fury exclusively speaks to BoxingScene following his win over Mariusz Wach. He calls for a fight with Anthony Joshua and reveals if he will be ringside tomorrow in Saudi Arabia.

Tyson Fury sits down with Tom Ivers ahead of his return against Mariusz Wach in Thailand to discuss his career and the potential mega-fight with Anthony Joshua later this year. Fury also explains why he doesn't care about legacy, reveals his favourite fight to rewatch, reflects on sparring Anthony Joshua years ago, and shares why he believes the long-awaited Joshua showdown has never happened. Timestamps: 0:00 - How Tyson Fury first met Spencer Brown 1:07 - Joseph Parker's importance in training camp 1:48 - Looks back on his career 5:00 - Why Tyson Fury doesn't care about his legacy 5:56 - Why the Anthony Joshua fight has never happened 7:08 - Fury recalls sparring Anthony Joshua in 2009 8:28 - Tyson Fury's blunt verdict on Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga 🎥 Subscribe for more exclusive boxing interviews, breaking news and behind-the-scenes coverage from across the boxing world. #TysonFury #AnthonyJoshua #Boxing #Heavyweight #DeontayWilder #JosephParker #MariuszWach #BoxingScene

Tyson Fury exclusively speaks to BoxingScene following his win over Mariusz Wach. He calls for a fight with Anthony Joshua and reveals if he will be ringside tomorrow in Saudi Arabia.

Matt Christie, a lifelong fight fan, has worked in boxing for more than 20 years. He left Boxing News in 2024 after 14 years, nine of which were spent as editor-in-chief. Before that, he was the producer of weekly boxing show “KOTV.” Now the co-host of “The Opening Bell” podcast and regularly used in the UK as a pundit, Matt was named as the Specialist Correspondent of the Year at the prestigious Sports Journalism Awards in 2021, which was the seventh SJA Award he accepted during his stint in the hot seat at Boxing News. The following year, he was inducted into the British Boxing Hall of Fame. He is a member of the BWAA and has been honored several times in their annual writing awards.

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