The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) International U23 round robin begins in Belfast this evening – its a key part of preparations for the World Boxing European U23 Championships in Hungary in November.
National U23 teams from Hungary and England, and an Ulster Select, will go up against Team Ireland in 6 sessions of boxing across October 9th to 11th, at the Girdwood Community Hub, 10 Girdwood Avenue, Belfast, BT14 6EG
In all, over 70 boxers will step between the ropes – with 80 bouts down for decision.
Tickets are available on the door, and are priced at £5 for children and £10 for adults.
All schedules are subject to change. Two rings will be in operation across all sessions.
Thursday, Oct 9 | Ring A, 5pm | IRL V ENG
48kg Tiffany Spencer V Walla Alli
54kg Robyn Kelly V Gieona Cuedajri
60kg Rebecca Kavannagh V Aya Hijazi
70kg Ryan Jenkins V Rio Gordon
65kg Ava Henry V Zaynah Casserly
85kg Sean Mackey Vs Divine Omojor
51kg Rachel Lawless V Maidi Gittens
75kg Shauna Kearney V Lilly Dolling
65kg Roy Colgan V Amo Singh
57kg Natalia Fasciszewska V Keira Bowden
60kg Gavin Ryan V Joe Turner
80kg James Whelan V Bobby Wallace
80+kg Cliona D’Arcy V Zsofia Szira (HUN)
50kg Louis Rooney V Reece Readshaw
90+kg Adam Olaniyan V Oliver Hockney
75kg Tadgh O’Donnell V Harley Burrows
70kg Gabrielle Mongans V Crystal Barker
Thursday, Oct 9 | Ring B, 5pm | ULS V HUN
65kg Caprice Coiley V Klaudia Turbucz
60kg Ciara Craig V Rebeka Dobos
54kg Nicole Clyde V Laura Horvath
70kg Jon McConnell V Rafael Buza
65kg Kaci Rock V Fanni Deak
85kg Anto Taggart V Mihaly Batori
65kg Anto Malanaphy V Robert Csiki
51kg Carleigh Irving V Petra Mezei
65kg JP Hale V Milan Petriman
57kg Courtney McCrudden V Panna Hipeller
80kg Conor McKernan V Balazs Kiraly
75kg Philip Rooney V Levante Gemes
70kg Matthew McCole V Dominik Enekes
55kg Laszlo Bernath (HUN) V Abdul Burton (ENG)
90kg Milan Kiss (HUN) V Akinola Tijani (ENG)
Friday, Oct 10 | Session One, Ring A, 5pm | IRL V HUN
90+kg Adam Olaniyan V Oliver Hockney (ENG)
48kg Tiffany Spence V Lilla Szeleczki
51kg Rachel Lawless V Karmen Horvath
60kg Gavin Ryan V Kuzito Kovacs
51kg Rachel Lawless V Karmen Horvath
54kg Robyn Kelly V Laura Horvath
65kg Roy Colgan V Milan Petrivan
57kg Natalia Fasciszewska V Panna Hippeller
70kg Ryan Jenkins V Dominik Enekes
60kg Rebecca Kavanagh V Rebeka Dobos
75kg Tadgh O’Donnell V Levante Gemes
65kg Ava Henry V Fanni Deak
80kg James Whelan V Balazs Kiraly
80+kg Cliona D’Arcy V Zsofia Szira
85kg Sean Mackey V Mihaly Batori
50kg Carlagh Peake V Petra Mezei
50kg Louis Rooney V Csaba Zsigo
Friday, Oct 10 | Session One, Ring B, 5pm | ULS V HUN
65kg Caprice Coiley V Klaudia Turbucz
51kg Caitlin Fryers V Madi Gittins
60kg Jude Gallagher V Joe Turner
54kg TBC V Gieona Cuedajri
65kg JP Hale V Amo Singh
65kg Jamie Graham V Robert Csiki
57kg Niamh Fay V Kiera Bowden
70kg Mattew McCole V Rio Gordon
60kg Ciara Craig V Aya Hijazi
75kg Philip Rooney V Harley Burrows
80kg Shauna Kearney V Charntay Naidoo
65kg Kaci Rock V Zaynah Casserley
80kg Conor McKernan V Bobby Wallace
55kg Clepson dos Santos V Abdul Burton
85kg Anto Taggart V Divine Omojor
Saturday, Oct 11 | Session One, Ring A, 12pm | IRL V Ulster Select
80kg Mikayla Kelly V Charntay Naidoo (Eng)
70kg Gabrielle Mongan V Caprice Coiley
60kg Rebecca Kavanagh V Ciara Craig
54kg Robyn Kelly V Nicole Clyde
51kg Rachel Lawless V Carleigh Irvine
65kg Roy Colgan V Anthony Malanaphy
70kg Ryan Jenkins V Matthew McCole
75kg Tadgh O’Donnell V Philip Rooney
57kg Natalia Fasciszewska V Courtney McCrudden
65kg Ava Henry V Kaci Rock
85kg Sean Mackey V Anthony Taggart
80kg James Whelan V Conor McKiernan
Saturday, Oct 11 | Session One, Ring B, 12pm | ENG V HUN
90+kg Oliver Hockney V Willie John McCartan (ULS)
48kg Walla Ali V Lilla Szeleczki
51kg Madi Gittins V Karmen Horvath
60kg Joe Turner V Kuzito Kovacs
54kg Gieona Cuedajri V Laura Horvath
65kg Amo Singh V Mila Petrivan
57kg Aya Hijazi V Panna Hipeller
70kg Rio Gordon V Dominik Enekes
60kg Keira Bowden V Rebeka Dobos
75kg Harley Burrows V Levante Gemes
65kg Zaynah Casserley V Fanni Deak
80kg Bobby Wallace V Balazs Kiraly
85kg Divine Omojor V Mihaly Batori
50kg Reece Readshaw V Csaba Zsigo
55kg Imre Bernath V Clepson dos Santos (ULS)
High Performance Director Jon Mackey says “Development opportunities like this are vital for the progression of Irish boxing, and this round robin is a key part of Team Ireland’s preparations for the inaugural World Boxing European U23 Championships. We have a strong team, and pre-championship competition against teams like Hungary, England and an Ulster Select will only serve to further enhance preparations.” And, Jon adds “ We’re delighted to be back in Belfast, after June’s National Elite Competition. The Girdwood is a superb venue and Belfast City Council’s support is invaluable – as is that of the Ulster Boxing Council led by Kevin Duffy and the Antrim County Board, led by Paddy Barnes. Our thanks, also to Central Council, led by President Anto Donnelly and the Officer Board, for their ongoing support.
IABA President, Anto Donnelly, says “This has been an exceptional year for boxer development through internationals across the Association. We have welcomed teams from Wales, France and India to compete at Youth internationals, a team from Austria at Elite level, and now Hungary, England and an Ulster Select. Hosting seven internationals in six months across two critical age categories speaks to how committed we are to getting Irish Boxing to top of international podiums. These internationals are also impossible without the contribution and expertise of volunteers at club level and also officials at weigh-ins, Referees and Judges, as technical officials. I thank each and every one of them for their dedication”
Ulster President, Kevin Duffy says ”We are thrilled to welcome Team Ireland, Hungary and England to Belfast what will be a truly momentous occasion for Belfast and for Irish sport. I’m also looking forward to cheering on the Ulster Select as they step between the ropes against national teams. This prestigious event marks a significant milestone, celebrating the strength, talent, and dedication of Ireland’s finest amateur boxers on a stage that reflects the passion and pride of Belfast’s boxing heritage. As a city long known for producing champions and fostering a deep love for the sport, it is an honour to welcome national teams as they prepare for the European U23 Championships . We extend a warm welcome to all athletes, coaches, and supporters, and look forward to witnessing an unforgettable showcase of skill, spirit, and sportsmanship. Thank you to Paddy Barnes, President of the Antrim Boxing Board and Liam Corr for helping to secure this event and we look forward to working in partnership with Central Council to ensure this truly is a memorable sporting occasion.”
Antrim President, Paddy Barnes Snr. ‘This round robin represents another great event for boxing in Belfast and one we are privileged to host in our great city. Belfast has a rich boxing history with over half of Irelands Olympic boxing medals (9) coming from Belfast, we hope to see the next batch of potential Olympic medalists on show. With support from the Belfast City Council and or Belfast Boxing Strategy, we can’t wait to host this historic event”