(MAR 17) T'was the night before St. Patrick's Day, March 16, 2007, in The Theatre at Madison Square Garden, when Maureen Shea met Eva Lidia Silva for a Light Welterweight, scheduled 6 round bout.

With tonight's popular Irish Fight Card, every lad and lass in New York seemed packed into the house, chanting, shouting, beer, flags, whistles, cheers to the song of the Irish Rover, and likely saying goodbye to their voices for the remainder of the weekend. But often hidden by her Irish name few notice another fan base and influence that stems from Maureen’s Mexican heritage, her first language, Spanish.

Manager Luigi Olcese notes, "Sometimes there's a small group holding up a Mexican flag, chanting for her."

Tonight, she faces Eva Silva, from Mexico.

The first round both fighters felt each other out, getting in hits, but Maureen scored solid to Eva’s head and body. Through most of the second round Maureen continued to soften her opponent, and then turned on the fire near the finish with lefts and rights appearing from nowhere, catching Eva at will. The next round started like the end of the second, and while Eva bravely attempted to defend herself, Maureen let loose with a fury, picking her shots as the punches pressed Eva to the ropes. Too many blows to Eva’s face and combinations to her ribs, 1:06 into the third round, Maureen caulked up another TKO.

Perhaps, Maureen Shea steps closer to a title, 10-0, but for now, simply time for a Bronx girl to celebrate her victory, and the holiday near Alma mater, Iona Collage. See also: The Beechmont Tavern.

(Weights:  Shea, 134 - Silva, 140)