AmateurHeadline News

BRONZE for Jude Gallagher at World Championships


Irish team captain Jude Gallagher will be bringing home a bronze medal from the World Youth Championships in Budapest following a semi-final defeat today.

The 16-year-old Tyrone light flyweight was beaten on a split-decision in the Hungarian capital by Thai fighter Thitisan Panmod.

Gallagher had stormed to the semis, dominating his two fights. The Two Castles teen beat Asian Youth bronze medallist Zhao Renxue of China and PanAmerican Youth silver medallist Rolando Bianchi of Brazil on wide unanimous decisions but was edged his morning by a very strong opponent.

Two Irish fighters has already been eliminated from these championships by Thais, a rising amateur boxing nation, and Panmod made it three from three today.

Gallagher, the taller fighter, began fast, ripping in right hands on the crouched Thai. Panmod, though, was strong, and the Asian Youth bronze and silver medallist landed his fair share of short heavy shots in between frequent clinches.

Panmod seemed to be timing Gallagher slightly better at the start of the second but the Ulster youngster enjoyed a strong second half to the round, keeping up his ferocious workrate and bodywork.

It was scrappy in the third and final round, with the pair visiting the canvas while entagled following a long right from the Irishman. Gallagher worked well in the clinch, throwing in some nice uppercuts but the vast majority eye-catching work at distance came from the impressive Panmod.

It was the Thai who celebrated at the final bell and he was confirmed a 4-1 split-decision winner – with no complaints from Gallagher. The Newtownstewart boxer was level on three, down on one, and up on one card going into the final round but Panmod was not to be denied, taking a 30-27, 29-28 x3, 28-29 win after sweeping the thrid.

Panmod will now progress to Thursday’s final where he will face Puerto Rico’s PanAmerican champion Paul Jan Rivero of Puerto Rico – a split-decision winner over Asian Youth champ Makhmud Sabyrkhan of Kazakhstan, who defeated Panmod in the continential championships, in the preceeding semi-final.

Gallagher will no doubt be disappointed but his achievements in 2018 remain hugely impressive. Alongside three Irish titles, the teenager won European Youth bronze in April – and he will remain a Youth level boxer in 2019.

Today’s result marks the end of Ireland’s involvement in the championships. In terms of major Under-18 competitons, there will be the Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires this October, with Dean Clancy and Lauren Kelly set to represent Ireland in Argentina.

AIBA World Men’s and Women’s Youth Championships Budapest, Hungary
August 28
S/Finals
49kg Jude Gallagher (Ireland) lost to Thitisan Panmod (Thailand) 1-4
49kg Makhmud Sabyrkhan (Kazakhstan) lost to Paul Jan Rivero (Puerto Rico)

August 26
Q/Final
48kg Daina Moorehouse (Ireland) lost to Nillda Meekoon (Thailand) 0-5
Last 16
75kg Lauren Kelly (Ireland) lost to Tallya Brillaux (France) 0-5

August 25
Q/Final
49kg Jude Gallagher (Ireland) beat Rafael Bianchi (Brazil) 5-0

August 23
Last 32
51kg Caitlin Fryers (Ireland) lost to Kittiya Nampa (Thailand) 1-4
Last 16
49kg Jude Gallagher (Ireland) beat Renuex Zhao (China) 5-0

August 22
Last 32
56kg Brandon McCarthy (Ireland) lost to Kumar Akash (India) 0-5
Last 16
48kg Daina Moorehouse (Ireland) beat Marta Lopez Del Arbol (Spain) 4-1

August 21
Last 32
57kg Dearbhla Rooney (Ireland) lost to Panpatchara Somnuek (Thailand) 2-3
52kg Dean Clancy (Ireland) lost to Asa Stevens (USA) 2-3

Irish squad
48kg Daina Moorhouse (Enniskerry)
49kg Jude Gallagher (Two Castles) Captain (Bronze, at least)
51kg Caitlin Fryers (Immaculata)
52kg Dean Clancy (Ballinacarrow)
56kg Brandon McCarthy (St Michael’s Athy)
57kg Dearbhla Rooney (Sean McDermot)
75kg Lauren Kelly (St Brigid’s Edenderry) Captain

Team managers: Stephen Connolly and Tara Mari Robins
Head coach: Billy McClean
Coaches: Michael Carruth, Michael Mongan, Anita Just
Physio: David Cooke

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Joe O'Neill

Reporting on Irish boxing the past five years. Work has appeared on irish-boxing.com, Boxing News, the42.ie, and local and national media. Provide live ringside updates, occasional interviews, and special features on the future of Irish boxing. email: joneill6@tcd.ie

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