WARD DOMINATES OLYMPIC AND WORLD CHAMPION

Irish captain Joe Ward, Conor Quinn, Kieran Molloy and George Bates had to settle for bronze this afternoon at the Chemistry Cup in Halle, Germany.

But Dublin heavyweight Kiril Afanasev advanced to Saturday’s final on a walkover and will meet Erislandy Savon, nephew of three-time Olympic champion Felix Savon, for 91kg gold.

The current Irish Elite champion will be bringing home at least silver from Halle.

Ward,meantime, was edged out on a 3-2 split by Cuba’s Olympic and World champion Julio La Cruz and was left shaking his head in disbelief – as were most neutrals – after the verdict was announced.

The current European Elite champion dropped the highly-rated Cuban, who took a count, in the first and was on top in the second while the third was close and tactical.

Ireland head coach Zaur Antia and coaches Michael Carruth, the 1992 Olympic champion, Philip Keogh and Paul Thompson stated that they believed Ward won and hailed the performances of all four Irish boxers in action this afternoon.

Quinn lost to Salanki Gaurov in the flyweight semi-final. The compact Indian, who beat Irish Rio Olympian Brendan Irvine in the Commonwealth final earlier this year, took a unanimous decision after a high-scoring and open three-rounder.

Molloy was beaten by Cuba’s London 2012 champion Iglesias Sotolongo after a hard-punching and close all southpaw battle. Sotolongo, a silver medallist at the 2017 World Elites, impressed early on, but the Galway welter tactically grew into this fight and regularly tested the former World No. 1 with solid shots off both hands in rounds two and three.

Bates lost to Cuba’s former World champion Jorge Estrada-Alvarez, who John Joe Nevin beat in the London 2012 semi-final, after a cagey three-rounder at the 45th edition of the tournament.

Irish amateur boxing is proudly sponsored by Liffey Crane

 

 

45th Men’s Chemistry Cup Halle, Germany June 19/24

June 20th

Last 16

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Artur Badalian (Ukraine) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Vikas Krishan (India) 0-5
60kg George Bates (Ireland) beat Artur Bril (Germany) 4-1
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Richard Meinecke (Germany) 5-0
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Omar El Hag (Germany) 4-1

Q/Final

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) beat Umar Bajwa (Germany) 5-0

June 21st

Q/Finals

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) lost to Vasilii Vetkin (Russia) 1-4
60kg George Bates (Ireland) beat Lucas Bandi (Canada) 4-1
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Kastriot Sopa (Germany) 2-3
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Thomas Zold (Slovakia) 5-0
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) beat Pavil Silygan (Russia) 4-1
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat Lucian Kohne (Germany) 5-0
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Angel Gomez-Larduet (Cuba) 0-5

June 22

S/Final

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Salanki Gaurov (India) 0-5
60kg George Bates (Ireland) lost to Jorge Estrada-Alvarez (Cuba) 0-5
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) lost to Iglesias Sotolongo (Cuba) 0-5
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) lost to Julio La Cruz (Cuba) 2-3
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat David Michalek (Slovakia) W/O

June 23

Final

91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) v Erislandy Savon (Cuba)

Irish Squad

52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard) (Bronze)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
60kg George Bates (St Marys) (Bronze, at least)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) (Bronze)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Joe Ward (Sparticus) (Bronze)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield) (Silver,at least)
91+kg Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Head coach: Zaur Antia
Coahes: Michael Carruth, Philip Keogh, Paul Thompson

 

 

 

 

Challenging the best is the key to growth and development, according to Irish head coach Zaur Antia with the Irish Elite team at the Chemistry Cup in Halle, Germany.

Five bronze medals are guaranteed at the 45th edition of the tournament – Ireland’s most expansive haul in terms of quantity at a multi-nations acknowledged as one of the most prestigious in the world – courtesy of Irish captain and three-time European Elite Joe Ward, Conor Quinn, George Bates, Kieran Molloy and Kiril Afanasev.

The five are back between the ropes today. Three of the semi-finals are against powerhouses Cuba.

The Cubans sent a formidable squad of Olympic, World and Pan Americans champions and medallists to Halle and are assured of nine bronze with athletes slated to fight in every semi-final except the bantam decider – following Hamsat Shadalov’s (Germany) shock but deserved win over two-time, two-weight, Olympic champion Robeisy Eloy-Ramirez who beat Michael Conlan in the London 2012 flyweight semi-final.

Ireland has the highest representation in the last-four of the 16-nation event after Cuba and the host country.

“The performances are excellent, I wanted to have more fights here for development, said Antia who has helped steer Irish boxing to a raft of Olympic, World and European medals this century.

“The medals are there, but the important thing is growth and devolopment. What I’m looking for is to see how they challenge themselves, to see how they use every opportunity, inch by inch. That’s progress.

“We will see what happens. Cuba, you know, they’re Olympic, World champions, medallists, very strong. We challenge because that’s what makes you grow.”

Ward, meantime, meets Olympic champion Julio La Cruz in a repeat of the last two World Elite finals which the Cuban won in Hamburg and Doha.

Speaking after Thursday’s win, Ward, a two-time Chemistry Cup gold medallist, said he believes that he and La Cruz are the two best light-heavyweights in the world.

The Westmeath southpaw is on familiar terms with beating top athletes in Halle as he stunned Egor Mekhontsev in the 81kg final on St Patrick’s Day six years ago just a few months before the Russian won gold at London 2012.

Antia added: “This is another challenge for him (Joe Ward). He wants to try and beat this boy to see what else he can do in the future.”

Antia is working Ireland’s corner in Halle with Olympic champion Michael Carruth, Philip Keogh and Paul Thompson.

*Cork’s Michael Roche (Sunnyside BC) became the only Irish boxer to qualify for Sydney 2000  after reaching the Chemistry Cup final 18 years ago.*

 

Ireland will be taking home at least five bronze medals from the Chemistry Cup in Germany.

George Bates, Kieran Molloy, Kiril Afanasev and European gold medallist Joe Ward joined Conor Quinn in Friday’s semi-finals after recording last-eight wins today in Halle.

Bates and Molloy impressively beat Canada’s Lucas Bandi and Slovak welter Thomas Zold.

Bates’ fight was stopped in the first round because of an injury to his opponent and when it went back to the cards the Dublin lightweight was declared the winner.

Ward, a two-time Chemistry Cup light heavy champion, saw off the challenge of Russian World Elite bronze medallist Pavil Silygan, who he beat in the 2014 Chemistry Cup quarter-final, on a 4-1 split.

The Irish captain will now meet Olympic champion Julio La Cruz in a repeat of the last two World Elite finals which the Cuban won.

Wayne Kelly was edged on a 3-2 split decision to Germany’s Kastriot Sopa earlier today and Commonwealth finalist Kurt Walker lost on a 4-1 split to Russia’s Vasilii Vetkin who claimed European Youth gold at the IABA hosted European Youths at the CityWest Hotel in Dublin in 2011.

Clonmel super-heavy Dean Gardiner lost his bid to reach the last-four versus Cuba’s London 2012 Olympian Angel Gomez-Larduet in the third last bout on tonight’s card.

Head coach Zaur Antia and coaches Michael Carruth, Philip Keogh and Paul Thompson are working Ireland’s corner in Halle.

Images: Joe Ward and George Bates, courtesy of Tibor (AIBA)

45th Men’s Chemistry Cup Halle, Germany June 19/24

June 20th

Last 16

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Artur Badalian (Ukraine) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Vikas Krishan (India) 0-5
60kg George Bates (Ireland) beat Artur Bril (Germany) 4-1
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Richard Meinecke (Germany) 5-0
56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Omar El Hag (Germany) 4-1

Q/Final

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) beat Umar Bajwa (Germany) 5-0

June 21st

Q/Finals

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) lost to Vasilii Vetkin (Russia) 1-4
60kg George Bates (Ireland) beat Lucas Bandi (Canada) 4-1
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) lost to Kastriot Sopa (Germany) 2-3
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Thomas Zold (Slovakia) 5-0
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) beat Pavil Silygan (Russia) 4-1
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) beat Lucian Kohne (Germany) 5-0
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) lost to Angel Gomez-Larduet (Cuba) 0-5

June 22

S/Final

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) v Salanki Gaurov (India)
60kg George Bates (Ireland) v Jorge Estrada-Alvarez (Cuba)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) v Iglesias Sotolongo (Cuba)
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) v Julio La Cruz (Cuba)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) v David Michalek (Slovakia)

Irish Squad

52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard) (Bronze, at least)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
60kg George Bates (St Marys) (Bronze, at least)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Oughterard) (Bronze, at least)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Joe Ward (Sparticus) (Bronze, at least)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield) (Bronze,at least)
91+kg Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Head coach: Zaur Antia
Coahes: Michael Carruth, Philip Keogh, Paul Thompson

 

 

Ireland celebrated a high-five at the 45th Chemistry Cup in Halle Germany today.

Wayne Kelly, George Bates, Kieran Molloy and Kurt Walker won their last 16 bouts and Conor Quinn secured victory in the last-eight at the 45 edition of the tournament.

Quinn’s quarter-final win – a unanimous decision over German flyweight Umar Bajwa – guarantees at least bronze.

Kelly forced Ukraine’s Artur Badalian into a standing count in the third and final round of their 64kg clash.

The four winners from today and Joe Ward, Kiril Afanasev and Dean Gardiner are between the ropes in the quarter-finals tomorrow.

Quinn has a day off from competitive action ahead of Friday’s last-four contests.

Michael Nevin lost out to Indian middleweight Vikas Krishan, the current Commonwealth Games champion, this afternoon.

Krishan took the first round. The second was 50/50 before Nevin won the third against the two-time India Olympian.

Images: Wayne Kelly, George Bates and Kieran Molloy after today’s wins.

(Pictures courtesy of Tibor of AIBA)

Irish amateur boxing in proudly sponsored by Liffey Crane.

45th Men’s Chemistry Cup Halle, Germany June 19/24

June 20th

Last 16 (1st session, 11am)

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Artur Badalian (Ukraine) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to Vikas Krishan (India) 0-5

Last 16 (2nd session, 2.30pm)

60kg George Bates (Ireland) beat Artur Bril (Germany) 4-1
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) beat Richard Meinecke (Germany) 5-0

Last 8 and 16 (3rd sessions, 7pm)

Q/Final

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) beat Umar Bajwa (Germany) 5-0

Last 16

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) beat Omar El Hag (Germany) 4-1

June 21st

Q/Finals

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Vasilii Vetkin (Russia)
60kg George Bates (Ireland) v Lucas Bandi (Canada)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v Kastriot Sopa (Germany)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) v Thomas Zold (Slovakia)
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) v Pavil Silygan (Russia)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) v Lucian Kohne (Germany)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) v Angel Gomez-Larduet (Cuba)

June 22

S/Final

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) v Vadim Kudriakov (Russia) or Salanki Gaurov (India)

Irish Squad

52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
60kg George Bates (St Marys)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg KIern Molloy (Oughterard)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Joe Ward (Sparticus)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield)
91+kg Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Head coach: Zaur Antia
Coahes: Michael Carruth, Philip Keogh, Paul Thompson

 

 

Wayne Kelly and Michael Nevin are in action in the last-eight of the Chemistry Cup in Germany this morning.

The Portlaoise BC pair meet the Ukraine and India in Halle.

George Bates, Kieran Molloy, Conor Quinn and Kurt Walker are also between the ropes today in the quarter-finals.

Day 1 will be decided over three sessions beginning at 11am, 2.30pm and 7pm (Irish times).

Joe Ward, Kiril Afansev and Dean Gardiner box Thursday.

45th Men’s Chemistry Cup Halle, Germany June 19/24

June 20th

Last 16 (1st session, 11am)

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Artur Badalian (Ukraine) 5-0
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) lost to  Vikas Krishan (India) 0-5

Last 16 (2nd session, 2.30pm)

60kg George Bates (Ireland) v Artur Bril (Germany)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) v Richard Meinecke (Germany)

Last 8 and 16 (3rd session, 7pm)

Last 8

52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) v Umar Bajwa (Germany)

Last 16

56kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Omar El Hag (Germany)

June 21st

Q/Finals

64kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v Kastriot Sopa (Germany)
81kg Joe Ward (Ireland) v Mehmet Nadir (Germany) or Pavil Silygan (Russia)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland) v Lucian Kohne (Germany)
91kg+ Dean Gardiner (Ireland) v Angel Gomez-Larduet)

Irish Squad

52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)
56kg Kurt Walker (Canal)
60kg George Bates (St Marys)
64kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg KIern Molloy (Oughterard)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Joe Ward (Sparticus)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield)
91+kg Dean Gardiner (Clonmel)

Head coach: Zaur Antia
Coahes: Michael Carruth, Philip Keogh, Paul Thompson