By Jonny Stapleton

HE has been involved in some of the biggest nights in Irish boxing, proving the perfect general as many an Irish warrior triumphed in title battle over his 25 year coaching career, but John Breen believes helping Colin Moffatt to Irish title glory was his proudest achievement.

The Breen’s Gym boss CV boasts names like Crisanto Espana, Victor Cordoba and Dave McAuley, Eamonn Magee, Paul McCloskey, Martin Rogan and Kevin O’Hara. He has masterminded World, European and British title victories and has tasted highs and lows at the highest level. However, typical of the Breen approach and affection he has for his fighters he highlighted helping Moffatt turn around his career as one of his most satisfying achievements.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph ahead of a dinner to celebrate the Ireland’s most successful pro coach’s 25 years training fighters, Breen expressed his delight at leading Moffatt to an Irish title and a British title challenge.

“Colin Moffatt was one of my biggest achievements. He came to me with more losses than wins and I got him to the Irish title and then he went the distance with Ian Napa in a British title fight. If I had said that was possible, few would have believed it,” he says.

“I’ve had some great nights — Crisanto Espana beating Meldrick Taylor for the World welterweight title, Neil Sinclair winning the British welterweight title — working with Dave McAuley was great because he was such a professional and one of the best Irish fighters of all time but very underrated.”

He might be 25 years in the game, but the popular Belfast coach isn’t content with past achievements and believes in Jamie Conlan he has a champ of the future.

“Jamie Conlan can be my next champion — he can beat any British flyweight around.”

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By Jonny Stapleton

MARTIN Lindsay has suffered contrasting fate in Belfast hosted British title fights, but is adamant the pugilist that stopped Paul Appleby to claim the title and not the one that lost it to John Simpson will be on display in the Odyssey Arena on September 22.

Lindsay takes on the surprise super featherweight package of last season, Lee Selby in one of the first major shows of the new term for the British and Commonwealth titles and is determined not register a repeat of the Simpson fight when title unbuckled from his waist from his waist in front of his home fans.

Speaking to the Belfast Newsletter Lindsay claimed he felt flat against the dogged Scot, but the University graduate and expecting father is adamant he has learnt his lessons from that disappointing night.

“You train so hard for a fight and that night it just did not happen for me.Simpson fought a good fight and I fought the wrong one. During that fight I got into a rut and I couldn’t get out of it. I leant loads from that fight and I am determined not to make the same mistakes again,” said Lindsay.

Selby comes into the bout in a rich vein of form. The British and Commonwealth champ has taken the short route to victory in five of his last six outings, but the ‘Mac Man’ has a secret weapon in training in the form of Eamonn O’Kane.

The Derry native challenges for a Celtic title on the same Judgement Day Card and Lindsay claims having a gym mate in a similar title pursuit has proved inspirational.

“Eamonn O’Kane trains with me and he is fighting on the same bill for the Celtic title, so we have been pushing each other on in training. It is good to have Eamonn in the same camp as we are going through the same thing. I have been sparring with Eamonn, Paddy Gallagher, Alfredo Meli and JD Neilly.

“Things are going well and I will be ready for September 22.”

Lindsay eager to impress in front of his home fans

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By Jonny Stapleton

A ‘MAJOR’ title fight awaits Luke Wilton if he over comes Bulgarian number 1 Galin Pounov in Belfast next Saturday night.

The 24 year old won the Internation Masters flyweight title in his last outing, but goes to work on a Holiday Inn show in the knowing a win in the six round conquest will ensure him a tilt at a more significant strap.

The Belfast fighters promoters have revealed news of a title fight but not specific titles.

Wilton is ranked number 1 in the British flyweight rankings, but it is still sure if he will get a chance to be Lord of the British fly’s in the Ulster Hall on October 13.

“Luke will have a six rounder at the Holiday Inn and we will use that as a warm-up fight for the contest at the Ulster Hall. We are in talks now about a 12 round title fight for the Ulster Hall and hopefully we can get that signed, sealed and delivered,” Alio Wilton told the Irish News. “These are two huge fights for Luke and we are looking for him to win a major title on October 13,” he added.

Speaking to Irish Boxing Radio this week Peace Promotions Mark Dunlop said Wilton will challenge for a strap pending a suitable opponent.

“Luke will challenge for a major title,” Dunlop said echoing Wilton Snr.

“Obviously we don’t want to say to much and give away the surprise. We are trying to get an opponent, but things are looking good. It is long over due.”

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TONY Conquest claims he is over his long list of ailments and is adamant his body will withstand any form of barrage Ian ‘The Tank’ Tims throws at him next Friday night.

The undefeated British prospect has had more injury problems than Sick Note Kiko Martinez of late and was forced to withdraw from three fight including a British title tilt before he knocked out Leon Williams within a round last July.
However the Southern Area cruiserweight champion claims he is fit and itching to get in the ring against the Irish champion this next weekend.

“You name it I had it over, but I have all the problems cleared up now. I feel good and I haven’t had any problems,” he told Buncey’s Boxing Hour.

“My hands, my wrist, my knees, everything is fine and I can’t wait to fight. Training and sparring have been good to and I am feeling fit and confident.”

Despite highlighting the former St Matthew’s amateur as a tough test, Conquest seems have one eye on the upcoming Shane McPhilbin and Jon Lewis Dickinson British Title fight, which takes place in October.

The 28 year old is determined to be star pupil on the Box Academy Boxing Nation broadcast show in a bid to secure a shot at the Lonsdale Belt.

“It should be a great fight between McPhilbin and Jon Lewis Dickinson. Hopefully I can get in the mix with them. I am not looking past Ian Tims because he is a tough strong fella, but hopefully if I get through this one and do a real good job I can get a shot at the Lonsdale belt. That’s the one I really want.”

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BY IABA Press Officer Bernard O’Neill

The 10th European Schoolboy Championships are just around the corner in Anapa,Russia……………….

The tournament is due to glove off on October 1st at the Black Sea holiday resort.

The www.iaba.ie took a look at the previous nine tournaments and how our boxers fared.

Please see below attachment for invitation letter for the 2012 European Schoolboy Championships.

John Joyce has won gold and bronze at European Schoolboy level – and a Boxer of the Tournament Award

Ireland have a distinguished history at the European Schoolboy Championships and have never failed to win a medal at a competition which plays a crucial role in the competitive development of the continent’s underage prospects.

Our talented young boxers have repeatedly fought their way into the business end of the tournament since its inception in Rome in 2003, securing a grand total of 40 medals over the last nine seasons.

David Joyce, Carl Frampton, Keith Boyle, John McDonagh, David Oliver Joyce and John Joe Joyce took home one gold, one silver and four bronze medals from the Eternal City nine years ago.

Less than 12 months later another four medals were plundered in Hungary. Willie O’Reilly and Stephen O”Reilly struck double gold in Siofok in the 40kg and 68kg classes courtesy of wins over Ukrainian compatriots Andriej Knieziew and Jewgoenij Ustymienko.

Darren Cruise (silver) and Ryan Brady (bronze) also finished in podium positions in Siofok.

The result archives from the 3rd Championships in Tver, Russia are incomplete. But, what can be confirmed, is that eventual silver medalist Darragh Power was beaten by Alexander Besputin of Russia in the flyweight final and David Joe Joyce, David Joyce, Bernard Roe and Tommy McCarthy secured a quartet of bronze medals after reaching their respective semi-finals.

Twelve months later in Nikolayev, Ukraine, Anthony Upton, Fergal McCrory and Tommy Kiely bagged at hat-trick of bronze medals, while the class of 2007 secured one of our greatest hauls in Portsmouth, England in 2007.

Michael Reilly and Michael McDonagh both beat Russian opponents to win gold, while Joe Ward, who go on to win AIBA World Junior and Youth gold and a European Senior title, earned a silver medal. George Bates, Christy Joyce, Chris Mullaly, Ray Ginley and Daniel O’Brien won bronze to complete a fantastic tournament.

However, at the 2008 edition in Novi Sad, Dylan Carr was the only Irish boxer to medal. Carr reached the semi-finals in Serbia but was beaten by Russia’s Ruslan Gilmanov in the 54kg class. The 2009 edition was hosted in Anapa, Russia, the venue for the upcoming Championships. Victor Medveduic and Gerard Whitehouse won two bronze medals by the banks of the Black Sea.

One year later, in Gambol, Bulgaria, John Joyce was outrageously adjudged to have lost his semi-final to Russia’s Ivan Dubovik and had to settler for bronze. Such was the consternation provoked by that result – and Irish team manager Patrick’s Gallagher’s report didn’t pull any punches – that Joyce was presented with the Boxer of the Tournament award. Wayne Kelly and Michael Gallagher also won bronze in Anapa.

Joyce vowed in Gambol that he would return for the 2011 European Schoolboy Championships and win gold. He remained true to that promise, as 12 months later he beat Russia’s Miroslav Peshkov in the 2011 final in Grozny, Russia to secure the gold medal he was denied the opportunity to compete for in Bulgaria.

James Cleary (silver), Matthew Burke (silver), and Craig Bonney, Lewis Crocker, Sean Conroy, Tiernan Bradley and Keelan Sexton with four bronze medals wins In total completed a fine outing for the Boys in Green in Grozny.

Ireland’s boxers have won 6 gold, 6 silver and 28 bronze medals at the last nine European Schoolboy Championships, a haul which averages out at over 4 medals per tournament.

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IT might be a long way off St Patrick’s Day but he Irish Club, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia will be packed to the rafters in two weeks time, as the fighting Irish return to fisitic action.

Three Irish fighters on the up Down Under, Dennis Hogan, Paddy Murphy and TJ Doheny will represent their country in what is being billed as an Ireland v Australia fight night.

Kildare’s Hogan is hoping to extend his unbeaten record to a dozen unbeaten dust ups against a yet to be names opponent on the September 14 card. The middleweight and super middleweight King of Queensland is hoping an impressive display will move him closer to an Australian title tilt.

Another of Queensland’s Irish champs, Paddy Murphy will also be in action. The Newry native has three fights lined up before the end of the year, but will be focused on victory in his next six round bout.

Former amateur stand out TJ Doheny completes the Irish line up on the six fight card. It will be the 25 year old’s fourth ring outing and his second in a manner of weeks.

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Ireland’s only dedicated boxing radio show, Irish Boxing Radio returns and fittingly in a month of intriguing Irish boxing happenings we have a diverse and captivating show lined up for you.

Matthew ‘Mack The Knife’ Macklin talks to us from Spain ahead of his clash with Joachim Alcine on the under card of Sergio Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s eagerly anticipated bout.

Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton talks all things Kiko Martinez, Steve Molitor and September 22.

Ian Tims explained how he is feeling ahead of his WBO European Cruiserweight title fight with Tony Conquest.

Peace Promotions boss discusses the September 8 Holiday Inn bill to include Luke Wilton among others- and we talk with an 2016 Olympic Hopeful as he gives a view into amateur life outside the High Performance.

click the link to listen – thanks for the support

http://www.mixcloud.com/irishboxingradio/irish-boxing-radio-episode-09/

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Ireland’s only dedicated boxing radio show, Irish Boxing Radio returns and fittingly in a month of intriguing Irish boxing happenings we have a diverse and captivating show lined up for you.

Matthew ‘Mack The Knife’ Macklin talks to us from Spain ahead of his clash with Joachim Alcine on the under card of Sergio Martinez and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr’s eagerly anticipated bout.

Carl ‘The Jackal’ Frampton talks all things Kiko Martinez, Steve Molitor and September 22.

Ian Tims explained how he is feeling ahead of his WBO European Cruiserweight title fight with Tony Conquest.

Peace Promotions boss discusses the September 8 Holiday Inn bill to include Luke Wilton among others- and we talk with an 2016 Olympic Hopeful as he gives a view into amateur life outside the High Performance.

click the link to listen – thanks for the support

http://www.mixcloud.com/irishboxingradio/irish-boxing-radio-episode-09/

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I have the pleasure of  informing you, An Garda Siochana Boxing Club are to be the proud hosts of the New York Police Department Boxing team in Dublin between the 4^th and 8^th October 2012.

The focal point of this visit is the Garda V NYPD Boxing show which will be staged in the spectacular Wright Venue Swords on Saturday the 6^th October.

This is a long standing and prestigious fixture. However this will be the first time ever that the NYPD will box in Dublin!  Come and see New York’s Finest take on the Real Fighting Irish!

The Garda team have travelled to New York over the past decade, boxing in such venues as The New York Athletic Club on Central Park, the Shearton Hotel in Times Square and Famous 69^thArmoury on Lexington Avenue.

The NYPD regularly have guest boxers on the bill from the US Armed Forces and the New York Fire Department. During this visit the Garda team will have a representative from Dublin Fire Brigade boxing out of our corner. You can expect fireworks when these proud forces collide in the ring over 10 action packed bouts!

Each year the Garda team have travelled to New York to take party in charity shows.  These fixtures are always sold out. Every event raises a considerable amount of money for good causes, such as care for an officer injured on duty or treatment of American war veterans.

During our event, there will be an Auction for High Valued Sporting Goods. We have Gloves signed by European, World and Olympic Champion Katie Taylor, World Middleweight Challenger Matthew Macklin and a Fantastic Kronx Gym Glove signed by Hall of Fame trainer, Emanuel Steward, Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko and Middleweight Challenger “Irish” Andy Lee!

All proceeds of this auction will go towards the Kops4kidz fund, for St. John’s Ward in Crumlin Children’s Hospital. This auction follows on from the Boxing Clubs very successful “Kops4kidz Blue Collar Fight Night” which raised over €100,000 for St. John’s Ward. That event took place in front of a 1600 capacity crowd, in the Wright Venue on the 10^thFebruary 2012. See www.facebook.com/Kops4kidz.

We are certain this event will attract considerable interest among the media, boxing public and America Ireland Society. We already have confirmed high profile attendance from the Political and sporting world.

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BY Kevin Byrne

follow Kevin on Twitter @kevoobyrne

WAYNE McCULLOUGH wants to be a trainer at the next Olympics – for the USA.

The Belfast bantamweight won silver for Ireland at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, but based himself in America when he turned professional the following year.

And after watching the USA flop at London 2012 – where they won NOTHING – he has launched the campaign to revive the former boxing powerhouse at Rio 2016.

McCullough said: “Now that the Olympics are over I am putting my name out there to let everyone know I would love to train Team USA.

“They have some very talented boxers and I know the decisions didn’t always go the right way but I believe I can help them achieve success next time around at Rio 2016.”

The USA are the most successful boxing nation, with 108 medals won. Cuba, with 67, are in second place.

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