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‘It’s about who performs under the lights. I am confident that will be me’ – Barry McReynolds sure he will win battle of the teens

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Barry McReynolds is confident that he will shine under the spotlight and win the battle of two emerging talents at the National Stadium on Friday night.

The double European Schoolboys medallist meets fellow underage age starlet Brandon McCarthy in the big boy 60kg decider.

Despite the fact the pair share Ulster and Intermediate senior success between them, Friday still represents something new for the young lightweights.

It’s the Belfast and Kilkenny teen’s first Elite final experience and Holy Trinity’s McReynolds believes coping with the occasion will play a part in who emerges victorious.

“This is my first season senior too so it is still all learning at this point, but on the night its about who performs under the lights and I am confident that will be me,” the 18-year-old told Irish-Boxing.com.

McReynolds seems confident he can handle any pressure, but takes more from the fact he has worked so hard ahead of the Elites.

“I am very confident going into the final and that is due to my preparation. I have really given it my all and left no stone unturned,” the Belfast fighter adds before suggesting he has saved the best till last in terms of the Elites.

“I have had two decent performances against two good boxers so far in the competition, but the best is yet to come on Friday.”

The fact both Senior Elite finalists are still in their teens isn’t lost on McReynolds. He admits his rival is a talent and feels the pair could be amateur rivals for some time to come.

“Brandon is a good boxer. I have been away with a few times when we were younger at Europeans and he has always been a good kid, It could turn out to be a rivalry but we are both still young and big careers in front of us.”

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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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