Ireland deliver in brilliant international tournament at Riverstown Boxing Club

The Munster Boxing Organisation recently held an International Event at the Firgrove Hotel, Mitchelstown, where Ireland faced the Netherlands.

The Cork boxers that represented Ireland were Scott O'Sullivan from Elite BC and Ricky Kiely from Midleton, while Michael Dooley (Riverstown BC), Ellie Murray from Golden Gloves BC, James O'Driscoll (Kanturk BC) and Martin O'Donnell from Charleville BC all fought on the support bouts before the main event.

This was the first full international tournament in Munster in many years and the Netherlands pair Liz Thijssen and Zoe Vogels came out strong. Ireland's Kerry Brown and Isabella Hawkins made it difficult for their Dutch opponents but unanimous wins went to the visitors.

Callum Lysaght got the home support on their feet with an all-action display, his straight punch combinations causing problems for his opponent as he took all three rounds for a unanimous decision on his international debut.

Cork man Scott O'Sullivan showed why he is held in such high esteem with a brilliant showing to close out the bout to claim a unanimous decision win for Ireland to draw level at 2-2.

Dylan Rockett was involved in another humdinger. His opponent received a standing eight count in the second round on his way to put Ireland 3-2 ahead.

Evan Moore lost the first round of his bout to a very strong Samir Amdell on all score cards but to his credit, he worked his way back into the contest with great body shots that troubled his opponent to claim a three-two round in his favour. It was all down to the last round, where again Moore scored heavily to the body and head to turn the outcome of the bout in his favour and claim a very impressive win.

That made it 4-2 to Ireland. 

The other Cork fighter Ricky Kiely started extremely well against Marciano Pikero, getting good shots off and landing well. Pikero then went long and with his movement made it more difficult for the Leesider to land scoring punches.

He kept trying to put the Dutchman under pressure. In the end, the win went to Pikero for the Dutch to close the gap, 4-3.

Jason Nevin showed his experience as he boxed and moved very smoothly in the first two rounds, although his opponent came back into the bout in the third. Nevin had done enough in the first two to claim victory and put Ireland 5-3 ahead.

Cian Cramer and Mohamed-Amin Bettah gave an outstanding display of boxing in a fitting finish to a marvellous day. The two went hammer and tongs for victory and at the end of a pulsating contest, victory went to Cramer to give Ireland a 6-3 success overall.

The day started with seven support Bouts in which the boxing was top class with the skill and technique on show by the young boxers from all over Munster that was a credit to their clubs and coaches. 

It bodes well for the future of Munster Boxing.