Athlone and Moate fighters serve up exciting boxing action
FOR the second year running, Athlone and Moate Boxing Club's held their annual boxing tournament in McCarthy Hall, Batteries Height, Athlone last Sunday.
The large crowd in attendance - which included Moate BC member and reigning Irish and European senior light-heavyweight champion Joe Ward - witnessed some excellent boxing action throughout the day, as over 40 boxers got between the ropes to represent their clubs against boxers from around the country.
The tournament got underway with exhibition bouts from up and coming stars from both clubs. Jack Duffy, David Joyce and Joe Joyce boxed very well for the Moate club with Ned Ward, Mikey Stokes and up and coming heavyweight, Callum Turley, shining for the Athlone club.
The main event kicked-off with Athlone puncher Tyrone Berry first between the ropes.
After a tentative open round, Berry exacted his authority and with pinpoint accurate punching retired his opponent in the third round. Peter Keenan then took to the ring for Moate and was judged harshly in the contest, as he lost out to his opponent from Cloghan.
Both Barney Stokes and John Doyle were beaten by their opponents in very tough tussles, before Mark Filatov, from Athlone BC, notched a great win after a controlled performance against Ciaran Reddin from Sparticus BC.
Elkin Mohammed and TJ Murtagh chalked-up good victories for Moate, as Marcin Skalski lost out at super-heavyweight on a split decision for Athlone.
This left only one fight to conclude the day's proceedings, which saw double All-Ireland female champion Saidhbh Greene from Sligo take on Athlone All-Ireland champion Cheyanne O'Neill at 60kgs division. In a hard fought and game battle, both girls put on the fight of the day, which eventually saw the Athlone girl take the decision much to the delight of the crowd and Cheyanne's family and friends.
Athlone and Moate Boxing Club's would like to thank all those who helped make the day a success and thank all clubs that provided boxers.
Ward to meet Egan again?
Meanwhile, Moate's Joe Ward could again face Kenny Egan at next year's National Championships, after the Dubliner dropped back down to light-heavyweight after a spell in the heavyweight division.
Ward memorably defeated Egan in the final of the Nationals earlier this year, but with their respective Olympic Games hopes on the line at next year's Nationals, both men will be determined to succeed if they come face to face.
In October, Ward suffered an agonising defeat in the last 16 of the World Championships (he needed to reach the quarter-finals to ensure Olympic qualification), meaning he needs to retain his Irish title at next year's Nationals to keep his Olympic ambitions alive.
If he triumphs at the Nationals, Ward will progress to the final European qualifier for the Olympics, in Istanbul next April, where three remaining light-heavyweight slots are up for grabs ahead of next summer's Olympic Games in London.
