World Youth bronze medallist Gabriel Dossen, pictured, is setting his sights on another podium finish in international competition at the upcoming Pavlyukov Youth Memorial in Anapa, Russia.

Invitation_Anapa_2017_e

The Olympic BC welter has been named on a seven-strong Irish squad for the Memorial, known as the “Mini World Championships.”

Team Ireland will train and spar with the host country, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Scotland and a number of other nations at the Black Sea port before the opening bell for the prestigious competition on March 14th.

The Irish squad leave for Anapa on March 6th.

Dossen was edged out in the last-four of the World Youths in St Petersburg, Russia last November on a 3-2 split by Russia’s Sergey Margaryan who lost to Turkey’s Tugrulhan Erdemir in the 64kg final. Michael Nevin also won bronze in St Petersburg.

“I’m just going to go out there and perform my best and see what I can do, especially moving up a weight, bigger and stronger fellas,” said Dossen.

“My plans (for 2017) would be come back home again with medals, win the U/18s against and get to the Europeans. It’s a starting point for me, I’m building up toward the Europeans,” added the 17-year-old.

Olympic BC coach Michael Mongan, who works Dossen’s corner with his dad John, reckons that the two-time Irish champion will add an Elite belt to his collection on the road to Tokyo 2020.

“He’s progression has escalated at a phenomenal pace since winning the National’s and boxing for Ireland and winning bronze at the World Youths, he said.

“He’s always had the ability, he just needed the right environment and the chance to develop his ability. I believe he will be an Elite champion in the next couple of years in the lead up to Tokyo 2020.”

Gabriel Dossen with Michael Nevin and 2016 World Youth mascot

If Dossen does book a ticket for the 32nd Olympiad, he’ll join Francis Barrett – Ireland’s flag bearer at the 1996 Games in Atlanta –  as the second athlete from the Olympic BC in Galway to represent Ireland at the Olympics.

Barrett won an Elite title at 63.5kg in 1996. The latest Elite belt was secured by Patrick Mongan, a cousin of Michael Mongan, in the 60kg class last Friday. In between those wins, heavyweight Gary Sweeney and lightweight Debbie O’Reilly topped the podium at the flagship tournament of Irish boxing in 2014 and 2015.

Dublin coaches James Doyle and Frank Murphy hailed the performances of their talented young side against European opposition.

Last weekend a seven-strong Dublin team travelled to Denmark to take on a Copenhagen selection but came out on the wrong side of a 4-3 score line.

Troy Norman and Adam Matthews got Dublin off to the best possible start with Norman outpointing his opponent to take the contest 3/0 and Matthews getting the win over a three-time Danish champion on a 2/1 split decision.

Suffie Edris and Micheal Myers were both involved in very tight contests against two Danish champions, with both Danish boxers having the acclaim of representing their country at the European Schoolboy Championships, but it was the Danish boxers who got the nod on this occasion, However, the Dubliners put in excellent displays.

Team captain Pierce O’Leary stepped into the ring next and after a pulsating three rounds of high quality all action boxing, it was the Dublin boxer who got the win against the big-hearted Danish boxer.

Mary Geraghty put on a superb display, the Dublin girl out scoring her opponent on aggression and out boxing the Danish girl on the back foot in a dominant performance.

Last into the ring for Dublin was Megan Flynn who along with her Danish opponent topped off a night of top class boxing. After three rounds of a high scoring entertaining contest, it was the Danish girl who got the decision on 2/1 split to give the Copenhagen team an overall 4/3 victory.

“It was a great weekend of boxing for the whole team, Frank and myself thought every one of them performed brilliantly on the night,” said James Doyle. “We would like to wish all of them the very best of luck in their up and coming Championships”

Dublin Squad

42kg Troy Norman (Cherry Orchard)
44kg Suffie Edris (Monkstown)
48kg Megan Flynn (Cherry Orchard)
54kg Micheal Myers (Crumlin)
57kg Mary Geraghty (Baldoyle)
60kg Pierce O’leary (Dublin Docklands)
70kg Adam Matthews (Monkstown)

Coach:James Doyle (Monkstown)
Coach:Frank Murphy (Baldoyle)
R&J:Stephen Kelly