Joe Ward
Fans can avail of a final opportunity to see Ireland’s Rio bound boxers in action before the Olympic Games at the National Stadium in Dublin on Friday night.
Team Ireland meet a Russian selection at the home of Irish boxing in a test match in their last outing before the opening bell for boxing at the 31st Olympiad on August 6th.
All media are invited to attend to Friday’s test match.
Current World and European Elite champion Michael Conlan, ex European Elite champion Paddy Barnes, a three-time Olympian, World Elite silver medallist Joe Ward, the only Irish boxer to claim two European Elite belts, three-time European Union Elite champion David Oliver Joyce, European Games silver medallist Brendan Irvine, World Series of boxing dynamo Steven Donnelly, European Games bronze medallist Sean McComb, John Joyce, Jeffrey Kavanagh and Thomas Carthy line out for a formidable Irish team against a top Russian selection.
Currently, Conlan, Barnes, Ward, Joyce, Irvine, Donnelly, Katie Taylor and Michael O’Reilly have qualified for Rio.
The class of 2016 have surpassed the Irish qualification record set by the Barcelona 1992 squad (six) and the London 2012 panel (six). The present qualification system was introduced for Barcelona 1992.
World Elite champion Michael Conlan (red) in action
Ray Moylette will be aiming to improve the 2016 record to nine over the line at the final Rio 2016 qualifiers which begin in Vargas, Venezuela on Sunday.
Admission for Friday’s test match is €10 for adults and €5 for children.
A limited number of deals for clubs are on offer. Clubs can purchase twenty tickets for €60. Contact sally@iaba.ie to confirm bookings. Terms and conditions apply.
No scores are kept in test matches.
A DJ and entertainment will be provided on the night.Boxing begins at 7.30pm.