The Irish Athletic Boxing Association (IABA) is excited to announce a game-changing multi-year partnership with global giant Nike, the world’s biggest sportswear brand.
This collaboration marks a milestone, and means IABA international boxers will wear the iconic Nike swoosh, in the ring and on the podium, up to the LA 2028 Olympic. In partnering, IABA and Nike are raising the commercial profile of boxing, at home and worldwide.
IABA athletes are among the very best in the world – boxing is Team Ireland’s most successful Olympic sport, and TeamNI topped the medals table at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Consistently producing world beating-performances and now collaborating with a world-beating brand is essential to growth and success, in and out of the ring.
The 2025 World Boxing Championships in Liverpool September 4th to 14th, aside from being IABA’s maiden World Boxing benchmark event, will debut the IABA-Nike partnership.
Gary Stewart, IABA’s CEO, says “This exciting partnership, with a true global brand icon really demonstrates the world class reputation of our athletes. That our Nike partnership has its first outing during our World Boxing Championships is perfect timing. “
And, Gary adds “This is as unprecedented partnership for the IABA, and speaks to our new direction in terms of brand, identity and commercial relationships. The 2026 athleisure apparel will have retail availability over the coming months, deepening existing markets for boxing wear, and widening visibility for the IABA and Nike Boxing both in Ireland and globally.”
Eddie Brown, President of Athlete Performance Solutions, says, “Opportunities like this do not come around very often. The historic legacy, and the bright future, of Irish Boxing makes this an incredibly exciting relationship for Nike Boxing. We are thrilled to outfit these phenomenal athletes with premium performance footwear and apparel as they pursue world and Olympic podiums.”
World Championship Team Co-Captain Adam Hession says “The quality of the kit is unbelievable and the detail is amazing. I can’t wait to wear the swoosh in the ring! It will be an hour to wear Nike kit at the World Boxing Championship Opening Ceremony – when it will be seen by thousands of people” while Aoife O’Rourke, Team Co-Captain, says “Being comfortable in what you wear and how it looks helps performance, massively. It’s important to know you’re at the top of your game when stepping in to the ring, and having a top-class kit contributes to that – Nike is the best boxing kit in the world”
Team Ireland
51kg Daina Moorehouse, of Enniskerry BC, Wicklow.
54kg Jenny Lehane of DCU Boxing Club, Dublin.
57kg Michaela Walsh of Holy Family Golden Gloves BC Belfast.
60kg Zara Breslin of Tramore BC, Waterford.
65kg Grainne Walsh of St. Mary’s BC, Tallaght, Dublin.
70kg Lisa O’Rourke of Castlerea BC, Co. Roscommon.
75kg Aoife O’Rourke of Castlerea BC, Co. Roscommon. Team Co-Captain
50kg Louis Rooney of Star BC, Belfast
55kg Patsy Joyce of Olympic BC, Mullingar Co. Westmeath.
60kg Adam Hession of Monivea BC, Co. Galway. Team Co-Captain
65kg Dean Clancy of Sean McDermott BC, Co. Leitrim.
70kg Matthew McCole of Illies Golden Glove BC Co. Donegal
75kg Gavin Rafferty of Dublin Docklands Boxing Club
80kg Kelyn Cassidy of Saviours Crystal BC, Co. Waterford
85kg Brian Kennedy of St. Brigid’s BC Edenderry Co. Offaly
90kg Jack Marley of Monkstown BC, Dublin
90+kg Martin McDonagh of Galway BC
Support Staff
- Team Manager: Jon Mackey, National Performance Director
- Head Coach: Zauri Antia
- Coaches: Damain Kennedy, Lynne McEnery, Eoin Pluck, James Doyle and JP Delaney
- Doctor: Jim Clover
- Lead Physio: Rob Tuomey
- Performance Analyst: Alan Swanton
- Logistics Support: Sean Crowley, High Performance Manager
World Boxing Championships
- The team departs for Liverpool on the morning of September 2nd
- The draw, which sets out the path to the podium for each boxer, as well as the days and sessions in which they will box, takes place on the afternoon of September 3rd. IABA will publish and share the draw.
- Boxing takes place September 4th to 14th, with a rest day on September 11th. The session times are available HERE
- Two sessions of semi-finals will take place on September 12th – while the first session on September 13th will see the completion of the semi-finals stage.
- Finals will take place on the evening of September 13th, and throughout the day on September 14th
- The team will return home at 7pm on September 15th.