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Chrissy Morton’s

BAD BOY PROMOTIONS

Presents

‘THIS IS IT’

Friday, 30th March 2012 @ The Troxy, London E1

By Rio

London - Tuesday, 20th March 2012

City Boys, and Girls, Prepare To Battle It Out On March 30th

Bad Boy Promotions head honcho Chrissy Morton has a passion for boxing, so much so that she gave up a lucrative career in the City to focus on promoting boxing events. Not just any boxing events though, Chrissy’s passion is the White Collar Boxing phenomenon that has swept like wildfire throughout the financial districts Worldwide over the past decade or so.

What makes White Collar Boxing stand apart from the Amateur and Professional scene is that those taking part don’t come from a boxing background, mostly they work in the City by day wheeling and dealing on the financial markets or practising law.

Those working in the City tend to be competitive by nature, as such it shouldn’t come come as any surprise that to ‘relax’ they would choose something competitive like White Collar Boxing.

 

 

Which is exactly why back in 1988 the founding protagonists, New York attorney Dr. Richard Novak and Dr. David Lawrence, who held a Phd. in English, decided upon the challenge of a boxing contest, which took place at the famed Gleason’s Gym in Brooklyn, NY.

There was no bet as such, it was purely in order to ‘test themselves’ and then after the contest the two Gentlemen went to dinner to celebrate the birth of a new sport.

The news of the contest spread and soon after there were White Collar boxing events taking place throughout the World financial centres, especially London which now has a thriving White Collar Boxing scene, which brings us nicely back to Chrissy Morton and her Bad Boy Promotions organisation.

Already having a couple of successful events under her belt Chrissy’s has stepped things up for her next all action White Collar Boxing event , titled ‘This Is It’, which will take place just a stones throw from the City and Canary Wharf, at the Troxy in Limehouse, London, on Friday 30th March 2012.

Not only has Chrissy taken the training of her weekend warriors to a more professional level, by moving her training to London’s premier pro boxing gym, the famous TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, in Canning Town deep in the heart of London’s East End, but she has also attracted stars from the World of Athletics and Music to participate in the show.

Following one of the training sessions Chrissy spoke of her passion for the sport and her upcoming 30th March event, “I’ve always loved boxing, I’ve always watched it.

I fell into this by mistake after one of the guys on the trading floor was having a White Collar fight and we all wanted to go. However he was only allocated one table so most of us couldn’t go.

After that we decided to do our own show, which we did in the middle of the City in Liverpool Street and that’s where it all started.

My next show will be on the 30th March at the Troxy. We’ll have around twenty four bouts, mainly it will be guys boxing but we do have a few female bouts as well.

Some of the bouts will be grudge matches, against the infamous ‘Essex Boys’ from Hornchurch.

This came about after some of their boys came to our last show and lay down a challenge and it built up from there. At this event we’ll have eight belts that are going to be fought for in the Bad Boy Promotions Vs. Essex Boys Challenge.

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Balker-Clarke Added To Spencer Fearon’s ‘Shamrock Showdown II’ On 23rd March

After six months without a fight, London based Dutch Cruiserweight Mitchell Balker finally gets the chance to return to the fray at Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Promotions first event of the year, Shamrock Showdown II, at The Troxy in Limehouse, London on the 23rd March.

Ever since Balker relocated to the UK, to train at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, his manager Johnny Eames has found it hard to secure his talented charge any bouts, especially after word got out that prior to turning pro that Balker had traveled to America to take part in, and win, the prestigious New York Golden Gloves tournament at the famous Madison Square Gardens.

However finding fights for the Dutch #1 here in the UK was made virtually impossible following a sensation against the odds victory over World ranked Blackpool based Slovakian knockout maestro Richard Turba back in August last year, which unsurprisingly rocketed Balker to the top of the domestic Cruiserweights ‘Fighters to Avoid’ list.

Things now look set to change for Balker though, as the aforementioned Spencer Fearon was so impressed by the Dutchman’s never say die attitude, as well as the victory over Turba, that he decided to add him to upcoming Premier Sports (Sky platform Ch 433) televised show, and true to form matched him in a genuine 50/50 fight against unbeaten Leeds hardman China Clarke.

Following yet another sparring war, with former British Cruiserweight Champion Leon ‘Solid’ Williams and Caine Brodie, a jubilant Balker said, “I feel very good and very excited about it, you know I’m always ready, so let’s do it.

I know nothing about my opponent, Spencer (Promoter Spencer Fearon) told me there is an opponent, China Clarke, so there is an opponent so we are going to have a fight and we’re going to make a special fight for the fans, and the TV, as they haven’t seen me fight for so long.

Even when there was no fight coming up I still stay in the gym, training and sparring, so I am always ready, my manager Johnny (Eames) and trainer Barry (Smith) make sure of that.

I have been sparring Leon (Williams) Caine (Brodie) and Paul (David) a lot, it’s the best preparation I could hope for, Leon was British Champion, Paul is the English Champion and Caine is a tough competitor at any time, so it’s good hard sparring with three of the best fighters in the UK.

Knowing Spencer it will be a hard fight, a 50-50 fight, but to me It’s a very special fight, my first with Hard Knocks and Premier Sports, so I will be really up for it and looking to win big.”

Mitchell Balker versus China Clarke will feature on the support card of Choi Tseveenpurev’s challenge for the vacant WBC Silver International Featherweight title at Spencer Fearon’s Hard Knocks Boxing Promotions ‘Shamrock Showdown II’ event at the Troxy in Limehouse, London on Friday 23rd March and broadcast live on Premier Sports (Sky platform Ch 433)

Tickets, priced £35 are available on-line now at www.tkoboxoffice.com or in person at the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym, Gillian House, Stephenson Street, Canning Town, London E16 4SA

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Photos and Report by Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

‘Mighty’ Kevin Mitchell made a welcome return to the ring on Friday night, when he took on Spain based Dominican Felix Lora in a ten round non-championship bout in front of a packed house at York Hall in Bethnal Green.

The Dagenham Destroyer seemed unfazed that the bout was touted as just a warm up bout, ahead of a summer showdown with WBO Lightweight World Champion Ricky Burns, as Mitchell seemed almost as fired up as he was when he faced John Murray back last year.

Whilst it wasn’t the liveliest of starts, as both fighters felt each other out, it soon livened up and see Mitchell using his incredibly accurate jab and superior movement to frustrate Lora.

Late on the raucous crowd jumped to their feet, as Lora fell to the canvas. The cheers faded as soon as they realised it was just a slip, but seconds later the crowd were back on their feet as Mitchell went straight back on the attack.

A much livelier start to the second round see Mitchell start to pressure Lora, picking him off with ease utilising his jab and some powerful rights to the body, and it wasn’t long before the big crowd were on their feet cheering again, as again Lora made a visit to the canvas, this time it was the real deal.

Lora had started to apply some pressure of his own, Mitchell used his excellent movement to avoid everything Lora threw at him before letting rip with a wickedly quick and accurate countering left.

After the count Mitchell went straight on the attack in a very controlled way, Lora used his head and grabbed hold of the advancing Mitchell. Once his head had cleared Lora tried to keep Mitchell on the backfoot, however Mitchell with his back to the rope proves to an extremely elusive target.

For the next few rounds Mitchell produced a boxing masterclass par excellence, easily controlling the rounds using his world class ring craft. Just as comfortable on the backfoot as he is on the attack Mitchell would pick off Lora, with sharp jabs, lightning fast one twos and uppercuts, at will each time the Dominican came in range.

Lora was fired up big time when he came out for the fifth, he was angry and full of vengeful intention. Virtually every punch the Dominican threw was fully loaded, however whilst he had Mitchell on the back foot and defending, the Dagenham man’s ring craft is honed to perfection.

Just as in the Murray fight, Mitchell backed on the rope is an elusive target, virtually every exocet Lora fired was avoided with comparable ease, that is until the Dominican landed a peach that shook Mitchell. Lora then turned up the pressure but Mitchell is well savvy and boxed beautifully off the backfoot as Lora chased him around the ring.

Lora must have thought that another one his bombs had penetrated Mitchell’s excellent defense in the final seconds, as Mitchell went down, after slipping on water close to Lora’s corner.

It got a little heated as the round concluded, Mitchell and Lora stood their ground, squared up to one another and pushed their foreheads together in an old fashioned face off fashion until referee Richie Davis intervened and dispatched the pair to their respective corners.

Mitchell’s coach, Jimmy Tibbs, calmed his charge before start of the sixth, and normal service resumed. Mitchell again was in full control, utilising his exquisite jab to control the next couple of rounds with ease.

Lora was again fired up at the start of the tenth and final round, going straight on the attack with massive exocets. Mitchell, again with his back to the ropes, avoided the Dominican’s big overhand rights with ease.

Mitchell then turned the tables on Lora in the final minute and let rip with a big right hand that had ‘lights out’ written all over it. In an instant Lora throws his arms around Mitchell to buy a few precious seconds in which to clear his head to enable him to see the round out.

No surprise Mitchell gets the nod from referee Richie Davies, quite rightly, by a 98-92 points margin.

Word is ‘Mighty’ Mitchell will do one more warm up bout before facing Ricky Burns at Upton Park in the Summer. Taking it on Friday’s performance I personally don’t think he needs it. Whilst yes he cruised his way through big parts of the bout, he also showed that he could step things up whenever he needed to and his defensive ringcraft was faultless throughout. It was a five star performance by Dagenham’s finest, even without the incentive of adding another belt to his collection.

Preceding Mitchell-Lora see Penge’s ‘Super’ Bradley Skeete easily outclass Hungarian challenger Laszlo Komjathi in an eight rounder.

As with Mitchell, Skeete put on a masterclass display to easily out point Komjathi, who has previously fought such stalwarts as Giuseppi Lauri, Michael Jennings, Rafal Jackiewicz, Marcos Maidana and Andriy Kotelnik.

Komjathi likes to box of the front foot, which played into Skeete’s hands as he could pick off the Hungarian at will, with stiff jabs and three punch combinations, each time he came in range.

Routine stuff for the first couple of rounds, but come the third Skeete took the fight to Komjathi, making life very uncomfortable for the Hungarian after forcing him onto the back foot.

Skeete was in a groove, letting rip with all manner of tasty shots, and around the midway point of the third a cracking combo, finished off with a right to the jaw see Komjathi’s legs go to jelly, whilst he didn’t actually go down his gloves touched the canvas and earned him a standing count.

Surprisingly Skeete didn’t go in hard and fast to finish the Hungarian off, but seemed content to showcase his skills for the adoring fans.

Komjathi was back on the front foot for the next couple of rounds, however Skeete remained unfazed and seemed content to just parry and counter his ever forward coming opponent to easily secure the rounds.

Skeete went back on the offensive in the penultimate and final rounds, easily forcing his durable opponent onto the backfoot for large parts of each stanza. Skeete also seemed to be putting more power behind his punches, shaking his opponent on numerous occasions, as he cruised his way to a tidy 80-71 points victory.

Prior to Skeete-Komjathi, Kevin Mitchell’s big hitting TRAD TKO Gym mate Frankie Buglioni took on super tough Ryan Clark, from Lincolnshire.

Big ticket seller Buglioni entered the arena to a standing ovation from the massive crowd, who continued their chanting throughout the bout as the Enfield man started fast, looking for his third early stoppage finish in three outings.

Clark, normally a crowd pleasing battler himself, was taken aback by the constant wave after wave of heavy double handed attacks and instead of going toe to toe with the man that has stopped both previous opponents, Sabie Montieth and Paul Morby, inside the first round, went defensive and covered up for long periods of the early rounds.

Unpreturbed Buglioni just kept attacking at pace to totally dominate the first couple of rounds.

More of the same in the first half third. However, after made a trip to the canvas, deemed a slip, it was Buglioni who had his resolve tested for the first time since turning pro back in November last year. As Buglioni went on the attack yet again, Clark countered with cracking right hook. Clark went on the offensive following up with a succession of big overhand rights and lefts to the body.

Normal service resumed in the fourth and final round, with Buglioni comfortably back in the driving seat, keeping up the pressure on Clark until the final bell.

No surprise when referee Bob Williams raised Buglioni’s arm in victory, declaring him the winner by 40-36 points margin.

Former Amateur star Bradley Saunders made an impressive start to his professional career, by stopping Jason Nesbitt in the third round of their scheduled six rounder.

Right from the off Saunders showed his class, bombarding the body of the highly durable Birmingham journeyman. In the second Saunders mixed it up a bit, throwing slick uppercuts, seriously stiff jabs and soul destroying right crosses to the head.

Saunders reverted to the body in the third and it came as no surprise to anyone when Nesbitt appeared hurt, by a vicious shot to the solar plexus. In an instant Saunders moved in for the kill, the first shot misses and as he is just about to let rip with another big body shot referee Bob Williams steps in to stop the bout on the two minutes and fifty seven second mark.

Undefeated in five Billy Morgan, another of Kevin Mitchell’s TRAD TKO Gym mates, took on Gants Hill’s Dan Naylor in a six rounder.

Round one to five were Morgan all the way, throughout the rounds the Canning Town youngster produced yet another masterclass, thoroughly out boxing the game Naylor and showcasing his fully loaded arsenal of punches.

Naylor stepped up the pace in the final round, to gain some limited success, but not enough to deprive Morgan of a clear 60-55 points victory.

Prio to Morgan-Naylor yet another TRAD TKO Gym boxer, Gary Corcoran, made his second pro outing, against Tamworth’s Matt Seagrave.

Right from the off Corcoran dominated the proceedings, his slick, yet powerful boxing style was way too much for 57 fight veteran Seagrave, who had to resort to covering up for much of the fight as Corcoran fired salvo after salvo to his body and head.

It came as no surprise when referee Bob Williams called a halt to the proceedings in the third after a particularly vicious flurry of shots had clearly hurt the Tamworth man.

The opening fight of the night see yet another TRAD TKO based fighter Ediz ‘Eddy’ Hussein made his second pro outing, against Barking’s Marc Callaghan.

Ediz, who is trained by his father - former Commonwealth Light Welterweight Champion Mo Hussein, showed all the class of his illustrious father, easily controlling the bout form start to finish to earn a tidy 39-37 points victory.

 

 

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Kevin Mitchell Interview - Talks Murray, Lora, Burns and Rios

Photos and Interview Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro

This coming Friday WBO Inter-Continental Lightweight Champion Kevin Mitchell is set to face Spain based Felix Lora in a non-championship bout at the famous York Hall in Bethnal Green, London.

27 year old Mitchell returns to the ring for the first time since stopping John Murray in July last year at the Echo Arena in Liverpool and this fight is said to be a warm up ahead of a challenge for Ricky Burns’ new acquired WBO World Lightweight crown.

With such an important bout waiting in the wings ‘Mighty’ Mitchell will surely be looking to impress in front his home crowd, in similar style to his utter destruction of arch rival John Murray last year.

Earlier today I caught up with Kevin at the pre-fight media workout at his home gym - the TRAD TKO Boxing Gym in Canning Town, London - to talk about the John Murray fight as well as the upcoming fight against Felix Lora and more.

But first, for those that have forgotten the Fight of the Year winning showdown at the Echo Arena in Liverpool back in July, when young guns Kevin Mitchell and John Murray had a true Western style shoot out, here is quick recap.

From the moment Dagenham gunslinger Mitchell confidently moseyed his way into the arena to the chants and jeers of Manchester’s top gun Murray’s fans it was clear that this was a very different ‘Mighty’ from the one that was gunned down big time by Aussie shootist Michael Katsidis last year.

Mitchell’s resolve and intent was obvious to all, no more was he willing to play second fiddle to Murray. Right from the off he dug into his fully loaded arsenal to let rip with a pin point accurate double handed flurry. Murray shrugged of the initial assault and walk the Londoner back onto the ropes before launching an equally vicious attack of his own.

Dipping and swaying Mitchell avoided virtually everything Murray threw at him before slickly stepping aside and letting rip with a series of punishing hooks to the body. The resilient Mancunian responded as only he can, standing his ground, absorbing each rib cracking shot and timing his counters to perfection, but Mitchell was more than just ‘Mighty’ he was already beginning to look magnificent as he secured the first round.

The second was another cracking round. Mitchell seemingly using his superior body work to slow the ever forward moving Murray, that is until about midway through when Murray lands one of his massive rights. Mitchell reels back to the ropes and yet another Murray double handed salvo rains down on the Londoner. A close round but Murray just about nicks this one in my book.

Right from the opening bell of the third Murray starts hunting down his quarry. Mitchell attempts to keep him at bay with crisp jabs but it just slows the raging bull down for a second or so. Mitchell dips back into his arsenal and pulled out a couple big powerful rights, only for Murray to respond with a double handed assault of his own. Moments later Mitchell turns the table and backs Murray onto the ropes and lets rip with a massive double handed salvo that sees out the round. It was another seriously closely fought round, but I felt Murray had just done enough to make it his own.

The fourth sees a good old fashioned toe-to-toe slug fest open up the proceedings. Murray launched big Bertha round, whilst Mitchell mixed it up and firing off a series of rocket powered uppercuts and hooks, to both body and head. In the dying seconds of the round Murray backed up the Londoner to the ropes again, Mitchell avoided everything Murray threw at him before sidestepping and turning the tables, backing Murray to the ropes, and launching a big double handed salvo until the final bell. No doubt in my mind the was ‘Mighty’ Mitchell’s round one hundred percent.

Murray walks down Mitchell in the fifth, but this time instead of dipping and swaying his way out of trouble the Londoner responds with a series of three punch combination of uppercuts and hooks to the body which appear to have a major effect on Murray. Mitchell is quick to notice this and turns the heat up letting rip with wicked body shots, uppercuts and double handed salvos to the head which start to slow the ever advancing Murray. An easy round to call in Kevin’s favour, but don’t go thinking it was one way traffic, it wasn’t.

The effects, to Murray’s face, of the previous round were clear to everyone as he came out for the sixth, there were noticeable dark swellings under both eyes. Mitchell was quick to notice these and set his sights and let off a series of exocets to the head each time Murray came within range. A real ding dong battle ensued, Mitchell letting rip with hooks and big right hands whilst Murray responds with megaton bombs and short sharp rights to the side of Mitchell’s head. What a round it was pugilistic heaven and far too close to call.

Round seven sees Murray charge like a raging bull closing down MItchell before launching a series of seriously hard jabs and big rights, Mitchell responds with yet more double handed exocets to the head. By mid round Murray’s face is looking like a train wreck. In the dying seconds it looked like Murray was heading to Boot Hill, Mitchell lands a massive nuke that sends Murray reeling and rocking, but before ‘Mighty’ Mitch zoned in for the kill the bell tolled. Sure I don’t have to say this was Mitchell’s round.

Again Murray charges forward from the opening bell, but the moment he came into range Mitchell launched yet another exocet before moving in to let rip with a massive uppercut followed by big double rights, Murray responds in similar vein and an all out war ensues, which abruptly ends with a massive left hook that sends Murray face down to the canvas. Murray makes the count but Mitchell is on him in a flash and lets rip with another wicked combination that rocks Murray to the core and left the referee no option but to stop the fight after just one minute and forty six seconds of the round.

So there you go, that’ll give you an idea of what to expect from our Kev on the 10th February, now let’s hear what the man himself has to say.

Rio - Kevin, first things first. Congratulations, your magnificent battle with John Murray was named 2011 Fight of the Year by Boxing News and BoxRec, how do you feel about that?

Kevin - Thanks to the readers of Boxing News and BoxRec who voted for the fight. I’m so pleased that everyone enjoyed the fight, it’s always an honour to be recognised for achieving something.

It was good to give my fans something to cheer for after the Katsidis fight.

Rio - The media as a whole showered accolades on you for your magnificent performance on the night, but how did you see the fight?

Kevin - I see it as a 50/50 fight.

After the beating by Michael Katsidis I wanted to put the record right - I watched that fight again last night, Katsidis did his job, I weren’t right and I got beat.

Everyone was saying Kevin’s finished, he got done in two rounds. Which wasn’t a bad thing as it made me push harder. As of 2012 I’m going to push even harder as I want a World title.

Yeah, it was a terrific fight, but I always knew deep down that I’d beat him, I knew I’d be too much for him, too much difference, I can change things, I can fight, I can box, I can punch hard.

Rio - OK, back to this Friday’s fight, even though it’s a non-championship bout I know just how seriously you have been taking your training, you were even in the gym over Christmas and New Year - So just how do you feel training has gone.

Kevin - It’s been going well, I’m bang on target for the fight this Friday.

I feel fit, did most of my sparring with Colin Lynes after some earlier rounds with Gary Corcoran, got my fitness up and then sparred with Colin and an Italian guy here called Freddie (Federico Tavares) helped me out.

Thanks to them, and of course Jimmy and Mark (Tibbs), I’m spot on for Friday.

Rio - Do you know much about your opponent Felix Lora?

Kevin - He’s gonna be a tough guy for ten rounds, I know I’m able to put him away if I want to, but I’m not going in there and try and blast him out, I’m gonna go out there and get some rounds in, if I nail him I nail him but if I don’t it’ll be good to get the rounds in.

Rio - I know you never look past any opponent, but as the word is that after this there’ll be a Summer showdown with Ricky Burns for his World title - What’s your thoughts on this?

Kevin - I’ll beat Burns and then I’ll knock Brandon Rios out.

Rio - Rios has said that he’s moving up to Light Welter - are you that determined to fight him that you’ll move to Light Welter to fight him?

Kevin - Yeah, I’ll move up if I have to, I want to fight him.

There’s a lot of needle there, he’s got a big mouth, he thinks he’s a powerful man.

I don’t care if he goes up a weight . I’ll win the title at Lightweight, defend it a few times and then I’ll go up to Light Welter and beat him up.

Rio - Sure is some needle there - OK, finally is there anything you would like to say to your fans?

Kevin - Thanks to all the fans that are going to turn up at York Hall on Friday, I promise you all a cracking fight.

Kevin Mitchell versus Felix Lora headlines the sold out Frank Warren Promotions event at York Hall, Bethnal Green, London, on Friday 10th February 2012 and broadcast live on BoxNation (Sky platform Channel 456 & Virgin 546).

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By Bernard O’neill (IABA Public Relations Officer)

On the last occasion that the Olympic Games were held in London, Dubliner Mick McKeon (Crumlin BC) would have won bronze if the present rules governing the awarding of medals were in place.

McKeon, boxing at middleweight, won three bouts to reach to semi-finals at the 1948 Games in the English capital but lost out in the last-four to Britain’s Johnny Wight, who claimed silver.

McKeon was then forced to concede a walkover to Ivano Fontanta of Italy in the box-off for bronze because of injury.

Four years later at the 1952 Games in Helsinki - where the great John McNally won silver - it was decided to abolish box-offs and award all losing semi-finalists bronze medals.

The decision was taken because of concerns after three boxers, one of which included McKeon, withdrew from bronze medal box-offs at the 1948 Games because of injury.

Ireland’s Patrick Dwyer (1924), Frank Traynor (1928) and James J. Murphy (1932) also reached the semi-finals at the Olympic Games and would have secured bronze if the present rules governing the awarding of medals were in place.

Dwyer and Murphy conceded walkovers in their bronze medal box-offs because of injury, while Traynor was beaten by Harry Isaacs (South Africa) in the box-off for bronze in Amsterdam 84 years ago.

Meanwhile, Michael Conlan, John Joe Nevin and Darren O’Neill have already qualified for the 2012 Olympics in London.

Ireland will be aiming to add to that total at the final Olympic qualifier for European male boxers in Istanbul in April and at the 2012 AIBA World Women’s Championships in China in May.

Women’s boxing will make its debut at the 30th Olympiad in London this year over 100 years after male boxing was introduced at the 1904 Olympics in St Louis.

Ireland’s boxers at the Olympics

1924 - PARIS

Fly: Myles McDonagh (Army) bye in first series, lost to Ruperto Biete Berdes (Spain) in second series.

Bantam: Richard Hilliard (Trinity, Dublin) bye in first series, lost to Benjamin Pertuzzo (Argentina) in second series.

Feather: Michael Doyle (Army) lost to gold medallist Jackie Fields (USA) in first series.

Light: James Kelleher (AAA) lost to Benjamin Rothwell (USA) KO 2 in first series.

Welter: Patrick Dwyer (Army) beat Joseph Basham (Britain) in first series, beat Jan Cornelisse (Holland) in second series, beat Teodor Stauffer (Switzerland) KO 3 in quarter-finals, lost to silver medallist Hector Mendez (Argentina) RSC 3 in semi-finals, forced to concede walkover to Douglas Lewis (Canada) in box-off for bronze medal because of injury.

Middle: William G Murphy (Army) bye in first series, beat Eugeniusz Nowak (Poland) KO 1 in second series, lost to fourth placed Leslie Black (Canada) in quarter-finals.

L/heavy: John Kidley (AAA) bye in first series, lost to bronze medallist Sverre Sorsdal (Norway) in second series.

 

1928 - AMSTERDAM

Fly: Myles McDonagh (Army) bye in first series, lost to Barend Bril (Holland) in second series.

Bantam: Frank Traynor (St Paul’s, Dublin) bye in first series, beat Fuji Okamoto (Japan) in second series, beat Carmelo Ambrosio (Argentina) in quarter-finals, lost to gold medallist Vittorio Tamagnini (Italy) in semi-finals, lost to Harry Isaacs (South Africa) in box-off for bronze medal.

Feather: George Kelly (North City, Dublin) lost to Rickard Christian Madsen (Denmark) in first series.

Light: Willie O’Shea (Army) lost to Jorge Diaz Hernandez (Chile) in second series.

Welter: PJ Lenihan (St James, Dublin) beat Arne Sande (Denmark) in first series, lost to bronze medallist Raymond Smillie (Canada) in second series.

Middle: Jack Chase (Garda) bye in first series, beat Alfred Wilson (South Africa) in second series, lost to bronze medallist Leonard Steyaert (Belgium) in quarter-finals.

L/heavy: Willie ‘Boy’ Murphy (Garda) beat Jose Montillor Pastor (Spain) in first series, lost to silver medallist Ernst Pistulla (Germany) in quarter-finals.

Heavy: Matt Flanagan (Garda) lost to gold medallist Arturo Rodriguez Jurado (Argentina) KO 1 in first series.

 

1932 - LOS ANGELES

Bantam: Patrick Hughes (St Patrick’s) lost to Carlos Alberto Pereyra (Argentina) in first series.

Feather: Ernie Smith (St Andrew’s, Dublin) bye in first series, lost to gold medallist Carmelo Robledo (Argentina) in second series.

Welter: Larry Flood (Army) lost to Robert Barton (South Africa) in first series.

L/heavy: James J. Murphy beat John Miler (USA) in quarter-finals, lost to silver medallist Gino Rossi (Italy) in semi-finals, forced to concede walkover to Peter Jorgensen (Denmark) in box-off for bronze medal because of injury.

 

1936 - BERLIN

No Irish entrants.

 

1948 - LONDON

Fly: Willie Barnes (Windsor, Belfast) bye in first series, lost to bronze medallist Frantisek Majdloch (Czechoslovakia) in second series.

Bantam: Willie Lenihan (Arbour Hill, Dublin) beat Roger Behm (Luxembourg) in first series, beat Olavi Ouvinen (Finland) in second series, lost to silver medallist Giovanni Zuddas (Italy) KO 3 in quarter-finals.

Feather: Kevin Martin (Mount Street, Dublin) beat Nicolaas Linneman (Holland) in first series, lost to gold medallist Ernesto Formenti (Italy) in second series.

Light: Maxie McCullagh (St Andrew’s, Dublin) beat Tauno Rinkinen (Finland) in first series, beat Ronnie Cooper (Britain) in second series, lost to third placed Svend Wad (Denmark) in quarter-finals.

Welter: Peter Foran (St Andrew’s, Dublin) beat Gareeb Afifi (Egypt) in first series, lost to silver medallist Horace Herring (USA) in second series.

Middle: Mick McKeon (Crumlin, Dublin) beat John Keenan (Canada) in first series, beat Hossein Toussi (Iran) in second series, beat Aime-Joseph Escudie (France) in quarter-finals, lost to silver medallist Johnny Wright (Britain) in semi-final, forced to concede walkover to Ivano Fontana (Italy) in box-off for bronze medal because of injury.

L/Heavy: Hugh O’Hagan (Corinthians, Dublin) bye in first series, beat Hans Schwarzmann (Switzerland) in second series, lost to fourth placed Adrian Holmes (Australia) in quarter-finals.

Heavy: Gearoid O Colmain (North City, Dublin) lost to Uber Baccilieri (Italy) in first series.

 

1952 - HELSINKI

Fly: Ando Reddy (Sandymount, Dublin) lost to Aristide Pozzali (Italy) in first series.

Bantam: John McNally (White City, Belfast) bye in first series, beat Alejandro Ortuoste (Philippines) in second series, beat Vincenzo Dall’Osso (Italy) in quarter-finals, beat Joon Ho Kang (Korea) in semi-finals, lost to Pentti Hamalainen (Finland) in final - SILVER MEDAL.

Feather: Tommy Reddy (Crumlin, Dublin) lost to Stevan Redli (Yugoslavia) KO 2 in first series.

Light: Kevin Martin (Mount Street, Dublin) beat Marcel van de Keere (Belgium) in first series, lost to bronze medallist Gheorghe Fiat (Romania) in second series.

L/welter: Terry Milligan (Shortt and Harland, Belfast) beat Ebraham Afsharpour (Iran) in first series, beat Pieter van Klaveren (Holland) in second series, lost to bronze medallist Bruno Visintin (Italy) in quarter-finals.

Welter: Peter Crotty (Clonmel) lost to Harry Gunnarsson (Sweden) KO 2 in first series.

Middle: Willie Duggan (Crumlin, Dublin) lost to silver medallist Vasile Tita (Romania) DSQ 3 in first series.

Heavy: John Lyttle (St George’s, Belfast) lost to Jean Lansiaux (France) in first series.

 

1956 - MELBOURNE

Fly: John Caldwell (Immaculata, Belfast) beat Yai Shwe (Burma) KO 3 in first series, beat Warner Batchelor (Australia) in quarter-finals, lost to silver medallist Mircea Dobrescu (Romania) in semi-final - BRONZE MEDAL.

Bantam: Freddie Gilroy (St John Bosco, Belfast) beat Boris Stiepanov (USSR) KO 3 in first series, beat Mario Sitri (Italy) in quarter-finals, lost to gold medallist Wolfgang Behrendt (East Germany) in semi-finals - BRONZE MEDALS.

Feather: Martin Smyth (Star, Belfast) lost to bronze medallist Pentti Hamalainen (Finland) in first series.

Light: Tony Byrne (Tredagh, Drogheda) beat Josef Chovanec (Czechoslovakia) DSQ 3 in first series, beat Louis Molina (USA) in quarter-finals, lost to silver medallist Harry Kurschat (West Germany) in semi-finals - BRONZE MEDAL.

L/welter: Harry Perry (British Rail, Dublin) bye in first series, lost to Claude Saluden (France) in second series.

Welter: Fred Tiedt (South City, Dublin) beat Tadeusz Walasek (Poland) in first series, beat Pearce Lane (USA) in quarter-finals, beat Kevin Hogarth (Australia) in semi-final, lost to gold medallist Nicolae Linca (Romania) in final - SILVER MEDAL.

Heavy: Patrick Sharkey lost to Thorner Ahsman (Sweden) in first series.

 

1960 - ROME

Fly: Adam McClean (Crown, Belfast) lost to Karimu Young (Nigeria) in first series.

Bantam: Paddy Kenny (Coventry Irish) beat Emile Anner (Switzerland) in first series, lost to Jerry Armstrong (USA) in second series.

Feather: Ando Reddy (Sandymount, Dublin) beat Andre Juncker (France) in first series, lost to Abel Bekker (Rhodesia) in second series.

Light: Danny O’Brien (Omagh) beat Esteban Aguilera (Cuba) in first series, lost to silver medallist Sandro Lopopolo (Italy) in second series.

L/welter: Bernie Meli (Immaculata, Belfast) beat Mihalis Demetre (Greece) in first series, lost to gold medallist Bohumil Nemecek (Czechoslovakia) in second series.

Welter: Harry Perry (British Rail, Dublin) lost to Kim Ki Soo (Korea) in first series.

L/middle; Mick Reid (Crumlin, Dublin) beat Helio Crescencio (Brazil) in first series, lost to Henryk Dampc (Poland) in second series.

Middle: Eamonn McKeon (Crumlin, Dublin) beat Mohamed Ben Gaudoubi (Tunisia) in first series, lost to Frederik Van Rooyen (South Africa) in second series.

 

1964 - TOKYO

Fly: Sean McCafferty (St John Bosco, Belfast) beat Rafael Carbonell (Cuba) in first series, beat Sulley Shittu (Ghana) in second series, lost to gold medallist Fernando Atzori (Italy) in quarter-finals.

Bantam: Chris Rafter (South City, Dublin) lost to Abel Almaraz (Argentina) in first series.

Feather: Paddy Fitzsimons (St Matthews, Belfast) lost to Piotr Gutman (Poland) in first series.

Light: Jim McCourt (Immaculata, Belfast) beat Bun Nam Suh (Korea) in first series, beat Ghulam Sarwar (Pakistan) in second series, beat Domingo Barrera (Spain) in quarter-finals, lost to silver medallist Vilikton Barannikov (USSR) in semi-finals - BRONZE MEDAL.

 

1968 - MEXICO CITY

Fly: Brendan McCarthy (Arbour Hill, Dublin) lost to gold medallist Ricardo Delgado (Mexico) in first series.

Bantam: Mick Dowling (Arbour Hill, Dublin) bye in first series, beat John Rakowski (Australia) DSQ 3 in second series, lost to bronze medallist Eiji Marioka (Japan) in quarter-finals.

Feather: Eddie Treacy (Arbour Hill, Dublin) beat Errol West (Jamaica) in first series, lost to gold medallist Antonio Roldan (Mexico) in second series.

Light: Martin Quinn (St John Bosco, Belfast) beat Bernard Essomba (Cameroon) KO 1 in first series, lost to silver medallist - and defending champion - Józef Grudzien (Poland) in second series.

L/welter: Jim McCourt (Immaculata, Belfast) lost to Gerd Puzicha (West Germany) in first series.

L/middle: Eamonn McCusker (St John Bosco, Banbridge) lost to silver medallist Rolando Garbey (Cuba) RSC 1 in first series.

 

1972 - MUNICH

Fly: Neil McLaughlin (St Eugene’s, Derry) beat Abaker Saed Mohamed (Sudan) in first series, beat Mohamed Selim (Egypt) KO 2 in second series, lost to silver medallist Leo Rwabwogo (Uganda) RSC 3 in quarter-finals.

Bantam: Mick Dowling (British Rail, Dublin) beat Ove Lundby (Sweden) in first series, lost to gold medallist Orlando Martinez (Cuba) 3-2 in second series.

Light: Charles Nash St Mary’s, Derry) beat Erik Madsen (Denmark) in first series, beat Antonio Gin (Mexico) RSC 1 in second series, lost to gold medallist Jan Szczepanski (Poland) RSC 3 in quarter-finals.

L/welter: Jim Montague (Star, Belfast) beat Nosrat Vakil Monfared (Iran) RSC 3 in first series, lost to gold medallist Ray Seales (USA) 5-0 in second series.

Welter: John Rodgers (Lisburn) beat Ib Boetcher (Denmark) RSC 3 in first series. lost to Anatoliy Khokhlov (USSR) in second series.

L/middle: Christy Elliott (Port of Dublin) beat Farouk Kesrouan (Lebanon) in first series, lost to Emeterio Villanueva (Mexico) RSC 3 in second series.

 

1976 - MONTREAL

L/fly: Brendan Dunne (Phoenix, Dublin) beat Noboru Uchizama (Japan) RSC 2 in first series, lost to bronze medallist Orlando Maldonado (Puerto Rico) in second series.

Fly: Davy Larmour (Albert Foundry, Belfast) beat Robert Musuku (SUA) walkover in first series, beat Agustin Martinez (Nicaragua) walkover in second series, lost to gold medallist Leo Randolph (USA) in quarter-finals.

Light: Gerry Hamill (Holy Family, Belfast) lost to bronze medallist Ace Rusevski (Yugoslavia) in first series.

Welter: Christy McLoughlin (British Rail, Dublin) lost to Colin Jones (Britain) in first series.

L/middle: Brian Byrne (Transport, Dublin) lost to Wilfredo Guzman (Puerto Rico) in first series.

 

1980 - MOSCOW

L/fly: Gerry Hawkins (Holy Trinity, Belfast) lost to bronze medallist Ismail Mustafov (Bulgaria) in first series.

Fly: Hugh Russell (Holy Family, Belfast) beat Samir Khiniab (Iraq) in first series, beat Emmanuel Mlundwa (Tanzania) in second series, beat Yo Ryon Sik (South Korea) in quarter-finals, lost to gold medallist Peter Lesov (Bulgaria) in semi-final - BRONZE MEDAL.

Bantam: Phil Sutcliffe (Drimnagh, Dublin) lost to Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) in first series.

Feather: Barry McGuigan (Smithboro, Monaghan) beat Issack Mabushi (Tanzania) RSC 3 in first series, lost to Winfred Kabunda (Zambia) in second series.

Light: Sean Doyle (St Joseph’s, Dublin) beat Nelson Trujillo (Venezuela) RSC 2 in first series, lost to Florian Livadaru (Romania) RSC 1 in second series.

L/welter: Martin Brereton (Edenderry) lost to bronze medallist Jose Aguillar (Cuba) in first series.

Welter: PJ Davitt (Phoenix, Dublin) lost to Ion Budusan (Romania) in first series.

 

1984 - LOS ANGELES

L/fly: Gerry Hawkins (Holy Trinity, Belfast) bye in first series, lost to silver medallist Salvatore Todisco (Italy) in second series.

Bantam: Phil Sutcliffe (Drimnagh, Dublin) lost to gold medallist Maurizio Stecca (Italy) in first series.

Feather: Paul Fitzgerald (Arklow) beat Tobi Pelly (Sudan) in first series, beat Steve Pagendam (Canada) in second series, lost to Charles Lubulwa (Uganda) in third series.

Welter: Kieran Joyce (Sunnyside, Cork) beat Basil Boniface (Seychelles) RSC 2 in first series, lost to Joni Nyman (Finland) in second series.

L/middle: Sam Storey (Holy Family, Belfast) lost to Romolo Casamonica (Italy) RSC 3 in first series.

Middle: Tommy Corr (Clonoe, Tyrone) beat Arigoma Mayero (Zimbabwe) in first series, lost to Jeremiah Okorodudu (Nigeria) in second series.

 

1988 - SEOUL

L/fly: Wayne McCullough (Albert Foundry, Belfast) beat Fred Muteweta (Uganda) in first series, lost to Scott Olson (Canada) in second series.

Fly: Joe Lawlor (Darndale, Dublin) beat Archibald Fausto (Mozambique) KO 2 in first series, lost to bronze medallist Timofey Skryabin (USSR) in second series.

Bantam: John Lowey (Ledley Hall, Belfast) beat Mustafa Saleh (Iraq) in first series, beat Mohamed Sabo (Nigeria) in second series, lost to Nyama Altankhuyag (Mongolia) in third series.

Feather: Paul Fitzgerald (Arklow) beat Emilio Villegas (Dominican Republic) in first series, lost to David Anderson (Britain) in second series.

Light: Michael Carruth (Drimnagh, Dublin) beat Satoru Higashi (Japan) in first series, lost to silver medallist George Cramme (Sweden) KO 1 in second series.

Welter: Billy Walsh (St Joseph’s, Wexford) lost to Song Kyung Sup (Korea) RSC 2 in first series.

Middle: Kieran Joyce (Sunnyside, Cork) beat Filipo Palako Vaka (Tonga) RSC 1 in first series, lost to Francis Wanyama (Uganda) in second series.

 

1992 - BARCELONA

Fly: Paul Buttimer (Sunnyside, Cork) lost to Moses Malagu (Nigeria) 12-8 in first series.

Bantam: Wayne McCullough (Albert Foundry, Belfast) beat Fred Muteweta (Uganda) 28-7 in first series, beat Ahmad Ghanim (Iraq) 10-2 in second series, beat Mohamed Sabo (Nigeria) 31-13 in quarter-finals, beat Lee Gwang Sik (Korea) 21-16 in semi-finals. lost to Joel Casamayor (Cuba) 14-8 in final - SILVER MEDAL.

Feather: Paul Griffin (Drimnagh, Dublin) lost to Steven Chungu (Zambia) RSC 2 in first series.

Welter: Michael Carruth (Drimnagh, Dublin) bye in first series, beat Maselino Tuifao (Samoa) 11-2 in second series, beat Andreas Otto (Germany) 35-22 in quarter-final, beat Arkom Chenglai (Thailand) 11-4 in semi-finals, beat Juan Hernandez (Cuba) 13-10 in final - GOLD MEDAL.

Heavy: Paul Douglas (Holy Family, Belfast)) beat John Pettersson (Sweden) 8-1 in first series, beat Alexey Chudinov (USSR) 15-9 in second series, lost to bronze medallist Arnold van der Lijnde (Holland) RSC 1 in quarter-finals.

S/heavy: Kevin McBride (Smithboro, Monaghan) lost to Peter Hrivniak (Czechoslovakia) 21-1 in first series.

 

1996 - ATLANTA

Fly: Damien Kelly (Holy Trinity, Belfast) beat Yulian Strogov (Bulgaria) 12-11 in first series, beat Hussein Hussein (Australia) 27-20 in second series, lost to silver medallist Bulat Jumadilov (Kazakhstan) 13-6 in quarter-finals.

L/welter: Francis Barrett (Olympic, Galway) beat Zely Fereira dos Santos (Brazil) 32-7 in first series, lost to bronze medallist Fathi Missaoui (Tunisia) 18-6 in second series.

Middle: Brian Magee (Holy Trinity, Belfast) beat Randall Thompson (Canada) 13-5 in first series, beat Bertrand Tetsia (Cameroon) 11-6 in second series, lost to bronze medallist Mohamed Bahari (Algeria) 15-9 in quarter-finals.

Heavy: Cathal O’Grady (St Saviours, Dublin) lost to Garth Da Silva (New Zealand) RSC 1 in first series.

 

2000 - SYDNEY

L/middle: Michael Roche (Sunnyside, Cork) lost to Firat Karagollu (Turkey) 17-4 in first series.

 

2004 - ATHENS

Middle: Andy Lee (St Francis, Limerick) beat Alfredo Lopez (Mexico) 38-23 in first series, lost to Nassan Ndam Njikam (Cameroon) 27-27 and then 44-42 on countback in second series.

 

2008 - BEIJING

L/fly: Paddy Barnes (Holy Family, Belfast) beat Jose Luis Meza (Ecuador) 14-8, beat Lukasz Maszczyk (Poland) 11-5, lost to eventual gold medallist Zou Shiming (China) 15-0 in semi-final - BRONZE MEDAL.

Feather: John Joe Nevin (Cavan) beat Abdelhalim Ouarradi (Algeria) 9-4, lost to eventual gold medallist Badar-Uugan Enkhbat (Mongolia) 9-2.

L/welter: John Joe Joyce (St Michael’s, Athy) beat Gyula Kate (Hungary) 9-5, lost to eventual gold medallist Felix Diaz (Dominican Republic) 11-11 on countback.

Middle: Darren Sutherland (St Saviours, Dublin) beat Nabil Kassel (Algeria) RSC 4, beat Alfonso Blanco (Venezuela) 11-1, lost to eventual gold medallist James DeGale (Britain) 10-3 in semi-final - BRONZE MEDAL.

L/heavy: Ken Egan (Neilstown, Dublin) beat Julius Jackson (Virgin Islands) 22-2, beat Muzafer Bahram (Turkey) 10-2, beat Washington Silva (Brazil) 8-0 beat Tony Jefferies (Britain 10-3), lost to Zhang Xiaoping (China) 11-7 in final - SILVER MEDAL.

 

2012 - London

51Kg (Flyweight) Michael Conlan (St John Bosco)

56Kg (Bantamweight) John Joe Nevin (Cavan BC)

75Kg (Middleweight) Darren O’Neill (Paulstown)

 

Article: Originally published @ iaba.ie

Photo source: John McNally / IABA

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