CORK BOXING EXHIBITION OPENS TODAY

IABA News

Olympian Kieran Joyce and famed Sunnyside BC coach Albie Murphy

There’s no future in nostalgia they say, but the Rebel County might disagree with you.

The Cork Boxing Exhibition has been extended to early September due to popular demand, according to Cork County Boxing Board President Michael O’Brien.

The exhibition opens at 2 pm today, August 16, at Cork City Library and runs until September 6.

Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin, whose dad Paddy “The Champ” Martin is a legend of the sport on Leeside, will officially inaugurate the exhibition featuring numerous artefacts, memorabilia, pictures, medals and trophies spanning three centuries of boxing in both codes.

The presentation stretches back to 1886 and the era of fabled Rebel lightweight Jack McAuliffe in the USA and incorporates Cork’s boxing Olympians, including James Murphy who reached an Olympic semi-final in Los Angeles in 1932 which would be sufficient to guarantee at least bronze under today’s rules governing the awarding of silverware.

However, athletes had to box-off for bronze before the 1952 Games – Murphy had to withdraw from the LA box-off with an injury – which marked the first time that both losing semi-finalists were awarded bronze and box-offs were abolished.

“Many beautiful items will be on display at the exhibition and many of these gems have never been seen by Cork boxing followers in public before. As President over the last four years, I have been privileged to see great occasions in the world of Cork boxing, said Michael O’Brien.

“I wish to thank all who have contributed to help Cork boxing flourish and hope you all enjoy the exhibition at the City Library. All are welcome.”

(See today’s Echo newpaper for a 16-page supplement on the exhibition)

EUROPEAN ELITE WOMEN’S SQUAD NAMED

IABA News

 

The Irish Athletic Boxing Association have named a four-strong squad for the European Elite Women’s Championships in Spain.

Boxing begins on August 24 in Madrid.

Dundalk southpaw Amy Broadhurst, the current European U/22 champion and World Elite quarter-finalist, will line out at lightweight.

Cork’s Christina Desmond, a bronze medallist at the 2016 Europeans, Cavan’s Ceire Smith and Castlerea’s Aoife O’Rourke line out at welter, fly and middle in the first major boxing tournament in Madrid since ex WBO champion Andy Lee won silver for Ireland in the 2004 EU Championships in the city.

Smith was unlucky to be edged out by Japan’s eventual bronze medallist Tsukimi Namiki on a 3-2 split in the flyweight class at the 2018 World Elites in New Delhi and can’t wait to get back in the ring.

“I have to say, it’s the best, physically, mentally, I’ve been for any tournament in a long time, said Smith pictured above in blue.

“I’ve been there before and I’m itching to get back and perform to my best and I’m one hundred per cent focussed.”

Irish head coach Zaur Antia and Damain Kennedy will be working Ireland’s corner at the 12th edition of the Championships.

Thirty two nations including Ireland have entered in the build-up to the World Women’s Elites in eastern Siberia in October.

Irish boxing lies in 8th position in the all-time European medals table at this level with ten podium finishes.

Current unified pro champion Katie Taylor claimed six European titles before switching codes and Harrington, Desmond, Clare Grace and Michaela Walsh have won one bronze each.

European Women’s Elite Championships Madrid, Spain August 22/31

Irish squad

51kg: Ceire Smith (Cavan/Virginia)
60kg: Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan)
69kg: Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
75kg: Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea)

Coaches: Zaur Antia and Damain Kennedy