Third WSB win see’s Donnelly take step down the Road to Rio

Steven Donnelly fired himself right into the mix for qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympics with his third straight World Series of Boxing (WSB) victory for the Hussars of Poland in Poland tonight.

The Irish welter (All Saints BC) beat Puerto Rico’s Nicklaus Flaz on a unanimous decision (48-47,50-45,48-47) in Wyszków to chalk up his third straight WSB victory this season.

Donnelly was lying in third spot on ten points in the WSB Individual rankings table going into tonight’s match. The rankings will be updated on Monday to reflect the weekend’s results.

Donnelly will have three more fights in the WSB this season against Argentina, Paddy Barnes’ and Michael Conlan’s Italia Thunder and Venezuela. The top two ranked welterweights at the end of the WSB regular season in April will qualify for Rio 2016.

Irish coach Eddie Bolger was working Donnelly’s corner tonight. Poland won 3-2.

“It was tough, but a very good win. His opponent was very unorthodox, but Steven slugged it out well to get another fine win under his belt,” said the Ireland seconds.