1 December 2008 – by Kevin Byrne

Irelands boxing queen Katie Taylor has retained her lightweight world title after a punishing win over home favourite Dong Cheng in Ningbo City, China on Saturday.

Going into the 60Kg final, there were some misgivings in the camp that Taylor could struggle in similar circumstances to Kenny Egan, who many feel was robbed in his Olympic final in Beijing to a Xiaoping Zhang. But after another characteristically brutal display, the Bray woman banished any doubts on the way to a 13-2 victory.

The all conquering 22-year-old is now the European, EU and world champion – and Irelands second lightweight in barely a month to grab gold at a World Championship. She follows in the footsteps of Mayos Ray Moylett, who scored big at the World Youth Championships in Mexico last month.

After a tremendous year for amateur boxing in Ireland, Taylor felt the weight of expectation as she entered the ring.

Speaking to RTE after the final against Dong Cheng, Taylor said, It was a great performance, shes a very experienced boxer so I was delighted the way it happened. I just kinda held on in the last round being so far ahead. It means everything to me, this is what Ive been training for all year.

Theres so much pressure on me as well this year heading into the Championships, everyones expecting me to ease through every fight and get the gold medal. So I just feel a bit relieved as well after winning it. It means everything to me.

Taylors last-16 clash with Czech Danusa Dilofova provoked fury from the Irish camp when Dilofova was helped peg back a 3-0 deficit by the referees decision to dock Taylor two points for holding. A late point sealed a 4-3 win but her team were so angry they lodged a complaint about the referee, Ukranian Eduard Hodes.

And Taylor, who has been beaten just once in international competition since claiming her first world crown in 2006, revealed just how much of a scare that fight was.

The second fight was a very close fight, I only beat the Czech girl 4-3, that was the closest bout I had in the championship. I nearly had a heart attack when it went three-all and in the last round I needed the point to get the win. It could have gone the other way, it was touch and go throughout the whole fight so I was just glad to sneak the point and hold on. I was thanking God after that. But overall it was a great championship for me. I boxed very well throughout the whole competition so I was delighted.

Ireland team manager Anna Moore was delighted with the performance in China.

Katie was 6-0 up at the end of the first round and there was no stopping her after that. It was a brilliant performance from her from start to finish and we are all absolutely thrilled, she said.

For Taylor, the Olympic Games are next on her horizon. It is yet to be decided if womens boxing will be approved for inclusion for the first time. But Irelands two-time world champion hopes her time will come.

All the female boxers over here hope it will be in the 2012 Olympics, there are people here from the Olympic Committee and I think they were all very impressed with us. I think they are going to make a decision sometime in the new year so, fingers crossed for that.”

Leave a comment

28 November 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Frank Maloney has said that he is growing increasingly exasperated by rival promoter Brian Peters negotiating tactics.

The pair have been involved in a very public war of words over a proposed bout between European super-bantamweight champion Rendall Munroe, who is a part of Maloneys stable of fighters, and Peters star attraction, Bernard Dunne.

Peters has repeatedly claimed that he has offered Munroe a career-best payday to come to Dublin to fight former titleholder Dunne but that the Leicester man is being protected by his promoter.

Indeed, Peters took the unprecedented step of releasing his alleged offer of 60,000 to the media, a move which infuriated Maloney, who has long claimed that he is being messed about.

Brian Peters is getting publicity off the back of my fighter, Maloney fumed on Steve Bunceys Boxing Hour.

The first offer was 40,000, the second offer 100,000 which we never saw. Now were down to 60,000.

How can I deal with a man who doesnt know what he wants?

Leave a comment

27 November 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Martin Rogan has admitted that he has no idea if Audley Harrison has the heart for boxing.

The pair will meet in an intriguing heavyweight bout in Londons ExCel Arena on December 6 which Harrison, Britains former Olympic hero, will go into as the overwhelming favourite.

However, this is virtually a fist fight in the last-chance saloon for Harrison, who has seen his career prospects nosedive in recent years after a succession of sub-standard showings.

Many have questioned whether A-Force has what it takes to make it the top of the toughest sport in the world, and Harrison, who made his breakthrough by winning the inaugural Prizefighter tournament, is no different.

Audley’s going to come to fight on December 6 because he’s got something to prove; I’ve got nothing to prove, he argued on Steve Bunces Boxing Hour.

I admire anyone who steps into the boxing ring but he’s done a lot of talking – did he get the money too quick and lose heart? That’s for him to answer.

In the Olympics I thought he was good, but lately he hasn’t been that impressive.

The guy he fought [George Arias] last was a tough, durable guy who was only 15 stone 2lbs. I think Audley could have done a lot more. Is his heart in it? I don’t know.”

Rogan has not fought since his Prizefighter success in April. The original date for his meeting with Harrison was scrapped due to a television scheduling conflict and then injury ruled him out of the rescheduled bout, on September 6.

However, the Belfast native does not believe that the lay-off will affect his chances of victory.

Everybody would like a fight in between but I’m not going to use that as an excuse, he insisted.

I’ve trained hard and gotten good sparring. The preparation’s been very good. So, it will be business as usual.

Leave a comment

26 November 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Frank Maloney has revealed that he has been receiving calls from Brian Lawrence at all hours, so excited is the latter by the potential of Irish super-middleweight Darren Sutherland.

Former amateur star Sutherland, who won middleweight bronze for his country in this summers Olympics in Beijing, is currently working with Lawrence ahead of his professional debut in Dublin on December 18.

The pair only linked up for the first time last week but Lawrence has already been blown away by what he has seen, according to Maloney.

“Brian calls me all the time telling me how good Darren is – even late at night, the promoter explained.

“The calls would drive most people mad but at least I can sleep because I know I’ve invested wisely.

“Most of the British Olympic team will be revealing their futures in next week, but I am not interested in any of them.

“I am not a betting man, but I am convinced that Darren will go further than any of them.”

And Lawrence is also supremely confident that Sutherland will make waves in the paid ranks.

“I have worked with a lot of fighters and Darren has the potential to be the best of the lot, he enthused.

“When he spars, things in the gym stop. Darren can fight, has amazing balance and can punch very, very hard.

“Frank has unearthed a special talent without and Darren will become my masterpiece.”

Leave a comment

26 November 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Martin Rogan is vowing to end Audley Harrisons world heavyweight title hopes in London next month – but the Northern Irishman is willing to run A-Force home for free after the bout.

After two previous postponements the pair will finally go toe-to-toe at the ExCel Arena on December 6 in what is a pivotal fight in the careers of both men.

Much attention will undoubtedly be focused on former Olympic hero Harrison but Belfast native Rogan, a part-time taxi man, is just as motivated, knowing that an upset win will lead to bigger paydays.

“I’m coming to London to finally put paid to Harrison’s career once and for all,” said Rogan.

“I know if I win this fight then it puts me in line for a shot at the British title, and once I win the Lonsdale belt then who knows where my career is going to end up.

“I love working on the taxi ranks, you get to meet so many new and interesting people everyday. Usually, by the end of the journey, if they are not already a boxing fan, then they have been converted!

“Everybody has wished me good luck against Harrison on December 6 and I’m going there with all of Belfast behind me.

“I never turned down a fare, but if Harrison wants a lift home after I’ve bashed him up then I’ll drive him back for free!”

Leave a comment

26 November 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Dean Byrne will put his undefeated record on the line when he takes on Priests Smalls at the Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles on December 20.

The exciting light-welterweight prospect, who is based in California and trains at Freddie Roachs famous Wild Card gym, has been sparring with Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao in recent weeks had been hoping to secure a berth on the undercard for the latters December 6 showdown with Oscar de la Hoya in Las Vegas.

However, there was no room for Byrne on the bill and the Dubliner also saw his hopes of fighting on the proposed John Duddy-headlined show in New York on November 21 dashed by its cancellation earlier this month.

Byrne, though, has secured a clash with Smalls and their bout will share top billing with former IBF light-middleweight champion Roman Karmazins clash with Branco McKart.

Leave a comment

26 November 2008 – by Mark Doyle

Dean Ryan will put his undefeated record on the line when he takes on Priests Smalls at the Hollywood Park Casino in Los Angeles on December 20.

The exciting light-welterweight prospect, who is based in California and trains at Freddie Roachs famous Wild Card gym, has been sparring with Amir Khan and Manny Pacquiao in recent weeks had been hoping to secure a berth on the undercard for the latters December 6 showdown with Oscar de la Hoya in Las Vegas.

However, there was no room for Ryan on the bill and the Dubliner also saw his hopes of fighting on the proposed John Duddy-headlined show in New York on November 21 dashed by its cancellation earlier this month.

Ryan, though, has secured a clash with Smalls and their bout will share top billing with former IBF light-middleweight champion Roman Karmazins clash with Branco McKart.

Leave a comment

24 November 2008 – by Cormac Campbell

Rinty The Story of a Champion

Eamonn O’Hara

Brehon

In an age where the appetite for biographies and autobiographies is such that many are released before the subject turns 30, it seems odd that it has taken 24 years since John Joseph ‘Rinty’ Monaghan’s death for his story to be recorded.

Monaghan, nicknamed Rinty because of his childhood love of famed television canine Rin Tin Tin, was a phenomenon in post-war Belfast, establishing himself as Ireland’s first undisputed boxing World Champion (KO7 Jackie Paterson March 23, 1948). Doing so in front of a full house at the Kings Hall, the home of professional boxing in Ireland, set the benchmark for all who followed.

Today Monaghan is remembered by an Ulster History Circle and Belfast City Council plaque at the south Belfast venue.

But the wee man from Sailortown was more than just a fighter. A famed singer, he would take the microphone after fights for a rendition of ‘When Irish eyes are smiling’ to entertain the masses whether he had won, lost or drawn in the ring.

This singing ability was put to good use in the war years as he travelled Europe performing.

During those tough times Monaghan’s family was forced to leave Belfast due to the effects of bombings – some moved to Antrim, others to Newry.

A popular and good-natured man, Monaghan died at the relatively young age of 64.

With no previous dedicated books to rely on, Irish News journalist Eamonn O’Hara took up the task of piecing together Rinty’s life story. Extensive interviews with family and friends, trawling through newspaper archives and assimilating a knowledge of Belfast in Rinty’s time has ensured that justice has been done to a story that was at risk of being lost.

Also more than welcome is the selection of wonderful photographs that give a flavour of Rinty’s life, times and achievements as well as the chronological breakdown of his career at the back of the book.

Hopefully this is the first of many books from the pen of O’Hara.

Leave a comment

23 November 2008 – by Press Release

Each fight is a learning experience for any young boxer and 2008 US Olympic first alternate Danny O’Connor is no exception.

His pro debut in September resulted in a second-round stoppage of Jose Guerrido, but his November 11 win against 15-fight veteran Anthony Woods was much more important in terms of 23-year-old O’Connor’s development process.

O’Connor (2-0, 2 KOs) pitched a shutout against fellow light welterweight Anthony Woods (5-11, 2 KOs), winning all four rounds on each of the three judge’s scorecards (40-35, 40-36, 40-36) at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

One invaluable lesson learned by O’Connor is that, when the action doesn’t go exactly according to pre-fight plans, adjustments must be made during the action.

“It was an exciting fight to watch,” he said. “We both threw a lot of punches. He’s a tough fighter; game, coming forward throwing punches. So was I. I wanted to show more of my boxing skills than I did in my first fight. I did but not as much as I wanted to because I didn’t settled down, rather looking for a knockout, instead of boxing more. Every fight is a learning experience for me and I’m already applying what I learned from that fight in the gym. I did go four rounds and now I’m used to fighting 3-minute rounds. I can’t wait for my next fight.”

O’Connor, fighting out of Framingham (MA), won this year’s US Future Stars National Championship, in which he was named Most Outstanding Boxer, as well as the National Golden Gloves Tournament, both in the 141-pound light welterweight division. Danny’s most notable victory as an amateur was a dominating performance against eventual 2008 Olympic Gold medalist Felix Diaz, of the Dominican Republic, who O’Connor beat on May 29 in a USA-Dominican Republic dual meet.

Uncertain about the exact date of his next fight, O’Connor is working hard at the 401 Gym in Cranston, Rhode Island with his head trainer, Dave Keefe, who also co-manages Danny with Rob Valle. O’Connor is promoted by Seminole Warriors Boxing.

“Both Rob and I were glad Danny got some rounds in,” Keefe noted.

“Seminole Warriors Boxing and our team are on the same page; knocking out everyone doesn’t always yield the best long-term results. These early fights are part of the learning process for Danny.”

For more information about Danny O’Connor go online to www.dannyoconnorboxing.com.

Leave a comment

24 November 2008 – by Steve Wellings

Situated in the heart of east Belfast, Eastside ABC is no ordinary gym, providing a safe environment for local kids to keep fit and learn to box while fighting its own battle for much needed home improvements.

“We first came here backin 1998 and look at the state of the place; it’s the worst gym in Ireland!” Jokes head trainer and respected local figure Alan Wilton, known by most as ‘Alio’.

“They say we need places for the kids to go and I know they are on the streets fighting each other. We have got 70 or 80 kids in here on any given night and they aren’t the ones out there fighting, they’re in here training.”

Wilton trains professional fighters’ such as Willie Thompson, Scott Belshaw (since joined up with Brian Lawrence), James Gorman and son Luke, a promising bantamweight, as well as guiding along a series of successful amateur fighters.

The club is old style to say the least, holding a small ring sandwiched in the middle of a former church hall where aspiring boxers of all age, gender and circumstance scuffle for space on the pads and bags.

“This place was lying derelict with kids trying to burn it down and we wanted to find out who owned it, but nobody knew,” continues Wilton. “So we moved in and two or three years passed before someone asked us what we were doing in their hall. It turned out some of it belonged to a firm building new houses and some to the housing executive. We struck a deal and now we hope to get 250,000 funding off the lottery.”

“Our long and short term plan is just the keep the place running and even though it gets you down, you need to cut through the paper work and do it for these wee lads. We were recently turned down for a grant so it’s in the hands of our politicians.”

The strong smell of sweat that accompanies every boxing club lingers in the air but the general mood is upbeat, with newcomers squeezing through the small entrance door each week. “We run in the evenings from 6 o’clock to around 8.30-9pm, about three hours in all. The boxers’ come from local areas or even further afield to train here and we have professional and amateur shows scheduled throughout the year.”

The cramped conditions have produced a bagful of winners, including Ulster & Irish women’s champion Alanna Audley who claimed a European silver medal plus another member of the Wilton clan, Matthew, who holds a string of titles.

“A couple of the girls in here are Irish champions and we have youngsters just turning amateur. Lads from Poland, Latvia and even South Africa mean we get a good mix.”

Administrator Gareth Thompson has been involved with Eastside for three years, since he made the switch from nearby Ledley Hall.

“I moved to Eastside to train and was quickly welcomed to the gym by Alan and found myself doing more and more with them. Helping out with Amateur shows, collecting and erecting rings, writing letters and sponsorship etc. About a year ago we decided to try starting the website and using it to promote the club and the boxers.”

The website grows every week and the Eastside Objective is clear: Our main goal here at Eastside Boxing is to train and mentor anyone that is interested in boxing, be it for fitness or for competition. We currently have some of the best amateur boxers in Ireland training from our gym and many more boxers training hard to become the champions of the future.

As with many gyms around Ireland and beyond, the walls are filled with clippings and fight posters from past and present, a bundle of well used equipment spills out of a locker. Young hopefuls buzz around one another, taking turns to “glove up” or working the pads together. “I hope to turn professional,” one tells me with a smile, “Just like Floyd Mayweather, he’s the best.”

“We keep up with all the necessary regulations and this type of training helps channel their aggression into something positive,” says Wilton, watching on as two rookies engage in a heated sparring session. ‘Remember what I told you, keep those hands up,’ he shouts as one gets backed up into a corner.

With a dedicated group of volunteers who keep the club running smoothly, including former Ledley Hall veteran Herbie Young, Eastside marches on against the odds. “I recently completed my child protection course through the club and hope to go on to work more with the amateur boxers, but at the minute the website and paperwork keeps me fairly busy,” adds Gareth Thompson.

“Eastside is not just a gym, it’s a big family.”

For more information on Eastside log on to www.eastsideboxingclub.co.uk.

Leave a comment