Euros on TG4
03 November 2008 – Press Release
TG4 have announced that the station will broadcast the 2008 European Senior Boxing Championships Finals live from the new Echo Arena in Liverpool on Saturday, November 15.
Live coverage will begin at 7pm and all 11 finals will be broadcast as part of the three and a half hour show.
A huge crowd is expected as boxers from all over Europe battle it out in 11 different weight categories from 48kgs to 91+kgs. Irish boxers will be hoping to continue with their success after the Beijing Olympics – Ireland claimed one silver and two bronze medals at the 29th Olympiad courtesy of Ken Egan, Darren Sutherland and Paddy Barnes.
All bouts will consist of 4×2 minute rounds. It will be the 37th edition of this biennial competition organised by the EABA. The IABA has nominated a nine-man squad for the Championships. Current senior champions John Joe Joyce – who reached the last 16 at the Beijing Olympics – David Oliver Joyce, Ross Hickey and Con Sheehan have been named in the panel. Ulster’s amon O’Kane, Ryan Lindberg and Willie McLoughlin will also be competing on Merseyside, along with Darren O’Neill and Conor Ahern.
The squad will travel to Sheffield for a training camp with hosts England, France, and Sweden, before heading to Liverpool for the start of the tournament. Ireland have won 33 medals, including five gold medals at European Senior Championships level since 1939.
TG4 Sports Editor, Rnn Coisdealbha said, We are delighted to be able to provide live coverage of this major sporting event to viewers in Ireland. Irish amateur boxing is on the crest of a wave at the moment thanks to the performances of the boxers at the Olympics and we hope to see Irish boxers continue with their success in Liverpool.
