Controversial and heartbreaking heavyweight defeat for Adam Olaniyan
Adam Olaniyan suffered a controversial defeat in Italy today.
The ever-impressive big man put in another big performance at the European Junior Championships and came so close to taking a big step onto a second continental podium, only to lose on points in heartbreaking fashion.
The Jobstown fighter, who won European Schools gold in Tbilisi in 2019, handed his opponent Vincenzo Guida two standing eight counts in a first-round he won 10-8 on four of the five cards – but ultimately exited the tournament at the quarter-final stage.
It looked as if the talented prospect had done enough to win the second but only two judges scored that stanza in his favour.
Still, he looked in pole position to progress going into the last but he lost that session across the board and the fight was eventually scored 29-28, 29-28, 28-29, 28-28, 28-28.
Despite the fact, his opponent only won the fight on one of the five cards he still progressed. The judges that scored it a draw, had to pick a winner and both went for the home fighter.
An Irish win looked a forgone conclusion after the first three minutes. The Tallaght giant boxed sensible off a long jab early in the round using his feet to keep distance between himself and his burley opponent.
When the Italian had success closing the distance Olaniyan whipped to the body better than any heavyweight in the business. His vicious mid-section work forced the referee to step in and hand out a standing eight, something he was forced to do again before the bell rang to end the first. This time a right hand landed and tested Guida’s ability to stay upright.
Having gone for the finish in the first, Olaniyan wasn’t as fresh in the second but still appeared to do enough to win the round. He certainly had the better of things from distance and picked some beautiful power punches. However, three of the two judges preferred the Italian’s aggressive work.
The third was Guida’s best round and he managed to get standing eight revenge against a somewhat wild and tired Jobstown talent. The home fighter won the round and probably deservedly so but many will argue you he was beyond fortunate to win the fight.
There was success earlier in the day for Alfie Jordan and Tadhg O’Donnell, while Calvin Doyle suffered defeat after a tight and tense quarter-final battle.
Four more Irish fighters will challenge for medals tonight. In the evening session, light fly Jamie Collins is second between the ropes, he boxes Serbia’s Admir Kamensnicanin for a medal. Four bouts later, feather Callum Carragher boxes for a medal against Azerbaijan’s Mahammadali Gasimzade.
Over in Ring B, light bantam John Harty is in action in Bout 4, against Greece’s Kostantinos Sarigiannidis and light welter, Cillian Reilly Lennon meets Armenia’s Marat Mikaelyan.
Team Ireland Squad
Male Boxers:
1. 44-46kg Alfie Jordan (Olympic L)
2. 48kg Jamie Collins (Drimnagh)
3. 50kg Calvin Doyle (Olympic L)
4. 52kg Johnny Harty (Portlaoise)
5. 54kg James Kelly (Holy Trinity)
6. 57kg Callum Carrager (Tredagh)
7. 60kg Ryan Jenkins (Olympic L)
8. 63kg Cillian Reilly (Jobstown)
9. 66kg Tadhg O’Donnell (Four Kings)
10. 70kg Charlie Valbergs (Cherry Orchard). Team Captain
11. 75kg Dylan McShane (St Pauls A)
12. 80kg Jack Teggart Weatherall (St Pauls A)
13. 80+kg Adam Olaniyan (Jobstown)
Female Boxers
1. 44-46kg Sophie Curley Gray (Dealgan)
2. 50kg Grace Conway (Tredagh)
3. 52kg Carlagh Peake (Ballyhaunis)
4. 54kg Niamh Keogh (Olympic L)
5. 57kg Siofra Lawless (Liberty)
6. 60kg Ava Henry (Docklands) Team Captain,
7. 63kg Kayleigh Whelan (Avona)
8. 66kg Sarah Murphy (St Brigids L)
9. 70kg Jodie Byrne (St Teresa’s)
10. 75kg Mary McDonagh (Sliabh Luachra)
11. 80kg Shauna Crehan (Dunboyne)
Team Manager
Martin Fennessy
Coaches
1. Ralph McKay
2. Liam Cunningham
3. Paul O’Toole
4. Linda Morgan
Referee/Judge
Philip Hollowed