Team Ireland on Copacabana beach in Rio
Rio 2016 draw to be made on August 4.
Team Ireland wind up their final training session with Brazil and the USA in Rio today, July 28, before decamping to the Olympic village tomorrow.
Ireland’s male Olympians are training and sparring with the Brazilians and Americans at a naval base in the host city for the Games.
Male boxing begins on August 6. Click here for schedule.
Boxing Team on Selaron Steps in Rio
Katie Taylor joins the squad on August 2 ahead of the opening bell for female boxing on August 12.
Team Ireland are focussed on the task ahead, according to team manager Joe Hennigan.
“We had a team meeting today and the lads are happy with their training camp. Everyone is positive, working hard and enjoying themselves, he said.
“We’ll have a final session with Brazil and the USA tomorrow and head into the Olympic village around 12.30pm our time here on Friday.
“It’s possible we could have a few in on August 6, but we won’t know until the draw is made.”
The International Boxing Association today confirmed that the draw will be made on August 4 in Rio.
Zaur Antia, Brendan Irvine, Michael Conlan, Steven Donnelly and John Conlan in Rio
Taylor and Michael Conlan are ranked No. 1 in the world in their respective lightweight and bantamweight classes, while Michael O’Reilly is ranked No.2 at middleweight and Joe Ward No. 3 at light-heavy.
However, World Series of Boxing (WSB), AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) and regular pro boxing will be factored into the Rio equation with regular amateur boxing, now officially called AIBA Open Boxing, for seeding.
Three pro boxers have also qualified for Rio, marking the first time in the history of the sport that made it’s Olympic debut in St Louis in 1904 that pros will fight at the Olympics.
286 boxers – 250 males and 36 females – will compete at Rio 2016 across 13 weight classes. Fifty two medals are up for grabs.
Irish squad
Women
60kg (Lightweight) – Katie Taylor (Bray)
Men
49kg (Light-flyweight) – Paddy Barnes (Holy Family)
52kg (Flyweight) – Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s)
56kg (Bantamweight) – Michael Conlan (Clonard)
60kg (Lightweight) – David Oliver Joyce (St Michael’s Athy & AIBA Pro Boxing)
69kg (Welterweight) – Steven Donnelly (All Saints)
75kg (Middleweight) – Michael O’Reilly (Portlaoise)
81kg (Light-heavyweight) – Joe Ward (Moate & AIBA Pro Boxing)
Team Manager: Joe Hennigan
Coaches: Zaur Antia, Eddie Bolger, John Conlan
Physio: Julianne Ryan