Kickboxing convert Gytis Lisinskas aims to “dominate boxing”

Less than a year on from committing fully to boxing, former top kickboxer Gytis Lisinskas is heading to the Irish Elite Championships.

The Celtic Eagles super heavy set up a potential meeting with set up a possible meeting with clubmate Toto Ó Griofa in the Elites following a victory in one of the more entertaining Senior [Intermediate] finals in Dublin last Friday night. 

The musclebound Galway man defeated the non-athletic-appearing but skilfully tough Dean Scullion of Loughshore on a 3-2 split in the final fight of a big night at National Stadium

The victory ensured Celtic Eagles had took a title as well as two runners-up medals back to the West and, according to coach Pawel Popko, Lisinskas will now definitely enter the National Elites at +91kg in February alongside clubmate Ó Griofa.

Lisinskas himself admits he has a lot of work to do before entering the premier domestic tournament but is confident that, under the guidance of Popko, he can achieve at the highest level.

Indeed, having dominated the world of kickboxing, the big man of Lithuanian extraction is hoping to achieve something similar in boxing.

“I came back from college maybe nine months ago and got into the boxing. I have an Irish title in kickboxing, I dominated that and now I have come to try and dominate boxing.”

“I am staying boxing now and I will work with Pawel to improve and let’s try and dominate boxing now.”

“With a coach like that I can only improve,” he added before discussing his win and the improvements he wants to make. 

A relatively raw talent, Lisinskas has plenty of tools at his disposal and wants to build on the performance.

“I was expecting a tough fight, but maybe not that tough,” he said of Scullion.

“He took some big shots and came back firing. I have been working hard with my coach and he has been drilling stuff into me.”

“There is more work needed I know that and there is a lot of improving to do, but I got the title, that is the main thing for now.”