Minister Ring with IABA management, coaches and Elite boxers at the National Stadium gym today

Minister Ring Gloves Up for Rio Gold

Michael Ring TD, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, was a special guest of the Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) at the High Performance Boxing Unit today at the National Stadium.

The Minister visited the home of Irish boxing to mark the milestone of 150 days to go to the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Fergal Carruth, CEO of the IABA, officially welcomed Minister Michael Ring to the National Stadium and praised the Minister for his ‘massive contribution’ to the development of both grass roots and High Performance boxing and thanked him for his ‘continued support of Irish boxing’.

The High Performance squad are currently in training at the National Stadium gym in the build-up towards next month’s European Olympic qualifiers in Samsun, Turkey.

Minster Ring addressed the entire squad and coaches and complimented Irish boxing on bringing so much pride to the nation through their continued success at international competition. He continued on to say that the Athletes were a ‘source of inspiration’ to so many and he was in no doubt, this unrivalled success story would continue.

The Minster, who was greeted by a whole host of Irish boxing stars including Olympic champion Katie Taylor, World Elite champion Michael Conlan, European Elite Champion Joe Ward, two-time Olympic bronze Medallist Paddy Barnes and the entire Irish Elite squad this afternoon. The Minister gave special praise to the Irish coaching staff and hailed all the great work that the IABA volunteers contribute to their communities throughout Ireland. He also noted the tremendous work by both, IABA President, Pat Ryan and CEO, Fergal Carruth.

Minister Ring wished the Irish Elite team the very best of luck at the upcoming 35th Gee Bee Multi-Nations which begins in Helsinki, Finland on Friday and for the very important year ahead culminating in the Rio Olympic Games.

Katie Taylor with Minister Ring

Minister Ring with Elite squad

Minister Ring with Paddy Barnes

Pictures courtesy of Sportsfile

Bernaldo Marime (blue) in action in Ireland

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association wish Bernaldo Marime the best of luck in the African Rio 2016 qualifiers.

The Holy Trinity BC light-welter lost to eventual champion Dean Walsh in last November’s Elite Championships at Dublin’s National Stadium.

But Marime, who was born Mozambique before moving to Tyrone aged 12, is now, boxing for Mozambique, who have employed a Cuban coach, aiming to qualify for Rio through the African qualifiers, which begin in Yaounde, Cameroon on Friday.

272 boxers from 39 countries have registered. Harry Hawkins, Marime’s coach at the Holy Trinity BC, reckons he’s right in there with a shout in Yaounde.

“He gave Dean Walsh a good fight in the Irish seniors. He’s tough, he’s matured a hell of a lot and he’s a very, very strong boy, Hawkins told The Irish News.

“He realises the opportunity he has – there’s not many people get that chance. Getting out of Ireland can sometimes be the hardest part of qualifying for the Olympics, and then even if you manage that, there’s nothing easy about the European qualifiers.”

“The African qualifiers won’t be easy, but it wouldn’t be as tough as the Europeans, so it’s a great opportunity.”

“We’ve worked hard with him, that bit of work with the High Performance is helping him because he’s getting some quality sparring.”

The top three light-welters in Yaounde qualify for Rio 2016.