AmateurHeadline News

Irish fighters feature in latest Four Nations rankings

Ireland have fourteen amateur fighters ranked in the latest edition of the Boxing News’ Four Nations Ratings.

The Top Tens, as of May 12th, feature fighters from Ireland, England, Scotland, and Wales.

English fighters top the ladder in nine of the ten weights, with Joe Ward‘s top spot at light heavyweight being the only exception.

The man Ward edged past in the recent Elite Senior final, Tony Browne of St Michael’s Inchicore, is ranked at #9.

Going through the weights, Ulster small men Blaine Dobbins (St Joseph’s) and Darryl Moran (Illies) are placed at #6 and #8 respectively on the light flyweight ladder.

Rio Olympian Brendan Irvine (St Paul’s) comes in at #2 at flyweight.

At bantamweight, three-time Irish senior champ Kurt Walker (Canal) is in at #3, while this year’s Elite Senior runner-up, Stevie McKenna (Old School), is ranked #10.

Ireland are well-placed at lightweight, with new Elite Senior champ Pat Mongan (Olympic) in second place, with runner-up George Bates (St Mary’s) in third.

Fresh from his win over World Champion Vitaly Dunaystev, Holy Trinity’s Sean McComb is #4 at light welterweight. Elite Senior runner-up Wayne Kelly (Ballynacargy) is #6.

European bronze medalist Dean Walsh (St Ibar’s/St Joseph’s) is #2 at welterweight.

London Olympian Darren O’Neill takes third spot at heavyweight, and Clonmel’s Dean Gardiner is #2 at super heavy.

Notable Irish absences from the list include Rio Olympian Steven Donnelly (All Saints) at welterweight, World Universities bronze medalist Kenny Okungbowa (Athlone) at heavyweight, and 2017 Elite Senior champion Martin Keenan (Rathkeale)

The rankings in full can be found in this week’s edition of the Boxing News.

Photo Credit: Ricardo Guglielminotti – The Fighting Irish (@ThefIrish)

Joe O’Neill and Gavan Casey speak to Jason Quigley on Episode 5 of The Irish Boxing Show:

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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