Great Success for Irish clubs at the Gloves Up, Gun Down International Box Cup in Newburgh, USA
Twenty-three boxers from four clubs competed at the inaugural Gloves Up Guns Down International Box Cup in Newburgh, New York, USA last weekend.
The competition running for the first time had just over 120 entrants with boxers mainly from the USA but also representation from Ireland 23 boxers, England 8 boxers, Canada 4 boxers, Puerto Rico 3 boxers and 1 each from Mexico, Denmark & Poland.
The competition ran over three days with boxers competing in their respective age/weight brackets and also in challenge matches to give all participants as much competition as possible.
The clubs representing the IABA at the competition included Erne Boxing Club (supported by Ballyhaunis BC), Loughshore Boxing Club and Olympic Boxing Club Mullingar.
All clubs had boxers winning Gold medals but with the Erne Boxing Club winning seven Golds they collected the Best Team Award and Sean Crowley, in turn, the Best Coach Award.
Olympic Boxing Club Mullingar were the next successful club with four Golds medals, seven Silver medals and one Bronze.
Star of the team was Alfie Jordan who won three successive contests all against American opposition and subsequently earned the Best Schoolboy Boxer Belt.
Loughshore Boxing Club won one Gold, one Silver and two Bronze medals.
The highlight of their tournament was unsung Dean Scullion winning the Super-Heavyweight final against England’s Ayo Barek.
The Englishman was mooted as being a future Anthony Joshua but Scullion used all his experience and ring craft to edge a close contest and deservedly take Gold.
The European Coordinator and co-organiser for this tournament was Erne Boxing Club’s Head Coach Sean Crowley.
He said: “This was the first year of the tournament and we deliberately wanted to keep the numbers small, we were expecting 200-250 entries but due to some unforeseen circumstances some of the American entries withdrew. Nonetheless, all boxers from Ireland had the opportunity to box twice and only 3 missed out on competing against American or Canadian opposition.
“Overall the tournament went very well, and I am proud of all the Irish boxers as they all did great against their American counterparts as well cause an upset or two. We plan to run the event again next year but will be increasing the European entries from 35 to 70 places (with 50 available for Ireland). So, any clubs interested in taking part next year can message the Gloves Up Guns Down International Box Cup Facebook page and they will be sent details in due course.”
Images
Erne Boxing Club photographed with the Best Team & Coach Awards
Peter Maughan and coaches
European champion Kaci Crowley and coach
Click here and here for more images
(Pictures and copy courtesy of Sean Crowley)