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Brennan bowls over Bosnian to get the ball rolling – Docklands fighter gets Ireland off to impressive start

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Emmet Brennan got Ireland’s Olympic qualifying campaign off to the perfect start.

The Dub was the first of the 13 man squad to fight in a competition with Tokyo places up for grabs and ensured a happy beginning to what should be an exciting week.

Brennan moved to within two wins of a place on the plane to Tokyo 2020 by securing a stoppage victory at the Copper Box Arena in London.

The former super middleweight proved too strong for Bosnian Radenko Tomic in the light heavyweight round of 32.

The Docklands fighter dominated the first round, but added range and rhythm to his raw aggression in the second forcing a stoppage with 59 seconds of the second remaining.

Neither fighter really managed much clean work in the opening stanza, but Brennan did appear to be forcing the action.

He made the Bosnian look like he was searching respite on the back foot rather than using a box and move tactic.

However two left hooks apart he the Dubliner didn’t land too much clean.

The reigning Irish light heavyweight champ found his range in the second round and really began to inflict damage on his foe.

With space to find some shots he began to take the wind out of the Kosovo-born puncher’s sails. A brilliantly timed straight right into the ribs forced Radenko to the canvas temporarily, Brennan sensed blood and went for the kill.

Another body shot and the blue corner fighter was reintroduced to the floor, he rose to his feet but the referee waved the fight off.

Brennan will face Swiss Uke Smajli in the next round and on St Patrick’s Day. He will fancy his chances – and victory would give him two chances at Tokyo. An open division, it looks like it would be Armenian Euro Games bronze medallist Gor Nersesyan first then, if needed, a winnable box-off.

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

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