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Boxers celebrate weekend wins
25.02.10
by Caoimhinn Barr and Chris McNulty
BUNCRANA boxer Willie McLaughlin made a successful
start to the defence of his crown at the Irish
National Senior Boxing Championships in Dublin last
Saturday night.
McLaughlin’s Illies Golden Gloves team-mate, Tyrone
McCullagh, also won his bout to make it a weekend of
double celebration for Inishowen.
Defending Irish welterweight champion, McLaughlin,
made no mistake in blasting off the challenge of
Arklow fighter, Fergal Redmond. Following a ruthless
display, the Illies Golden Gloves fighter was the
clear 10-0 victory.
Recently-crowned Donegal Sports Star of the Year for
2009, McLaughlin, was also boosted by the news this
week that he is set to receive a €20,000 grant from
the Irish Sports Council; the Buncrana boxer
scooping the sum, given to an elite band of boxers,
for World Class Designation. |
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McLaughlin, a quarter
finalist at the 2009 AIBA World Championships is in
a big battle to retain his welterweight crown. In
what is perhaps the most keenly contested of the
belts, the Buncrana man is joined in the semi-finals
next weekend by such prized opponents as 2008
Beijing Olympian John Joe Joyce, the 2007 EU |
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Champion Roy Sheehan
and Adam Nolan who was the 8-0 winner over Jonathan
Dowling.
Speaking to the Inishowen Independent this week,
McLaughlin said he was confident of progressing to
the final once again.
“It will be a big step up next weekend because Adam
[Nolan] won his fight 8-0. If I am able to keep the
score down in the first round I should hopefully be
able to see him off,” he said.
“He is a big, awkward south-paw but he moves very
well in the ring. With such a big ring in Dublin it
will be a tough challenge for me but if I take my
time I should be okay.”
McLaughlin, who is currently back home in Buncrana,
will travel to Belfast this week ahead of Friday
night’s big semi-final in Dublin. |
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