Conor Wallace, pictured after today’s bout, has vowed to bounce back after losing out because of injury at the World University Championships at Chiang Mai University today.
The Newry middleweight had to retire at the end of the second round with a nasty cut near his right eye after an accidental clash of heads with Valerii Kharlamov of the Ukraine in Thailand.
Boxing superbly in the opening frame, Wallace floored the European Elite quarter-finalist and 2014 Ukrainian Elite champion with a massive left in the opening three minutes.
The scores were locked at 19-19 across the board at the end of the second frame.
“Absolutely gutted. Had to retire at end of second round due to a bad cut, after a nasty clash of heads, said the Irish Elite finalist.
“Dropped my opponent heavy in the first round with a big left hand but unfortunately it wasn’t to be. I will live to fight another day.
“Thanks very much to Paddy Gallagher for doing my corner and thanks to you’s all for the support. I wish the rest of my team mates the very best of luck for the tournament.
“Cut is stitched up, some time off now and plan the future, one sure thing: I WILL BE BACK!
Wallace is part of a five-strong Irish Athletic Third-Level Boxing Association (IATBA) squad in Thailand.
Christina Desmond and Ken Okungbowa are in action in the last-eight tomorrow, followed by Gary McKenna and Ceire Smith on Wednesday.
7th World University Championships Thailand, October 3/8
October 3rd
Last 16
75kg: Conor Wallace Ireland) lost to Valerii Kharlamov (Ukraine) TKOI3
October 4th
Q/Finals
75kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) v Zura Kussainova (Kazakhstan)
91kg Ken Okungbowa (Ireland) v Tadas Tamasuskas (Lithuania)
October 5th
Q/Finals
51kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Wassila Lkhadiri (France)
60kg Gary McKenna (Ireland) v Temirian Osmonov (Kyrgyzstan)
IATBA Squad
51kg Ceire Smith – Cavan BC & DCU
60kg Gary McKenna – Old School BC Monaghan & University of Ulster
75kg Christina Desmond – Fr Horgans BC & LIT
75kg Conor Wallace – St Monica’s Newry & Southern Regional College, Newry
91kg Kenneth Okungbowa – Athlone BC & AIT
Team manager: Paul Geoghegan
Coach: Paddy Gallagher