Gabriel Dossen with IABA President Pat Ryan and Irish coach Billy McClean after Saturday’s win.
Olympic BC head coach Mike Mongan has hailed the performance of Gabriel Dossen at the U/18 Championships at Dublin’s National Stadium.
Dossen beat three top class opponents to finish on top of the light-welter podium at the home of Irish boxing.
The Irish Athletic Boxing Association are using the tournament as part of their selection process for November’s World Youth Championships in St Petersburg, Russia.
All finals were decided at the U/18 Championships on Friday and Saturday, with ex European Youth champion Michael Nevin and current AIBA World Junior silver medallists Eamer Coughlan and Paddy Donovan having their hands traised in triumph along with the new generation of Irish boxing.
Mongan was thrilled to see their light-welter go all the way at the South Circular Road venue.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted and over the moon for him. That’s his second Irish title, he won the Youth (2) 63kg title this year and he won Gold in Haringey as well.
“He reached five finals previous with two different clubs and on his 6th attempt he won his first one this year. He came to the Olympic BC a year ago last March so the leaps and bounds he came on is unbelievable.
“He was very much considered an underdog going into the U18’s but I knew what he was capable of doing. He beat Brian McNamee of the Convoy BC Donegal in the quarter final last weekend, McNamee is a multiple Irish champion.
“This weekend (looking at the draw) was always going to be the biggest. We had to come up with two different game plans for two different boxers.
“Beating the former European Junior Champion Jason Harty was always going to be a big ask but when he did we knew he was capable to go all the way. He took huge confidence from that bout into the final and pulled off an upset to win the weight and also to ensure his place in the World Youth Championships.
“Unofficially, it was said by most he was the boxer of the tournament.”
Gabriel Dossen and Mike Mongan at National Stadiun
Dossen admitted it was a tough tournament against Ireland’s top young prospects.
He said: “First of all I’d like to thank Mike Mongan, all my other coaches that influenced me all the way, friends and family for the continuous support.
“Honestly, it’s a dream come true for me to get a chance to represent my country in the world championships. I beat a very tough and worthy opponent, Aaron McKenna, on a unanimous decision.
“I was the underdog going into these championships. Still need to keep the head down and train for the Worlds coming up. Without God nothing is possible.”