Keegan says Beijing path will get tougher for boxers
Paddy Barnes emerged from Chicago as Ireland’s only qualifier and, while he was described as a dark horse going into the tournament, it was always expected it would be a bonus if he was to make the quarter-finals.
Welterweight Roy Sheahan, middleweight Darren Sutherland and light heavyweight Kenneth Egan, projected as the likely boxers to gain Olympic qualification were disappointments.
“We never put all our eggs in the one basket. The qualifying tournaments next year were always included in our plans but, let’s face it, this was the best opportunity of the three,” Gary Keegan said. “With the top eight to go through in all but two of the weights it was a golden opportunity and I know Roy Sheahan, Darren Sutherland and Kenneth Egan are very disappointed they did not avail of it.
“At the end of the day, when a boxer gets into the ring, it’s up to him to produce. We have done our part. They know it themselves and they know that Olympic qualification is in their own hands. They can still do it, but it is going to be a bit more difficult.”
He was speaking after Barnes watched Shining Zou from China, who beat him in the quarter-finals, retain his title in convincing fashion, beating Harry Tanamor (Philippines) 17-3.
Domenico Valentino (Italy), who beat lightweight Eric Donovan, had to settle for a second silver medal when he was outpointed by Frankie Gavin (England) 18-10. Gavin, whose mother is from Tipperary and his father from Dublin, became England’s first world amateur champion.
But middleweight Darren Sutherland was probably most disappointed of all as he watched Alfonso Blanco (Venezuela) accept the silver medal. The Venezuelan lost 29-4 to the defending champion, Matvey Korobov (Russia).
“It is disappointing to know that I should have won that fight,” Sutherland said. “I did not perform, but you have to get on with it. I will take a couple of weeks off and get back training for the senior championships.”
Katie Taylor, who proved that an Irish boxer can win a world title, received her second gold medal in a matter of weeks when she outclassed Katie Dunn from Canada — stopping her on the 15 point rule in the very first round — to highlight claims to have women’s boxing included in the Olympic Games in 2012.
This was one of two contests boxed before the president of the IOC, Dr Jacques Rogge, and it could hardly have been more spectacular with Taylor, fresh from winning a third successive European title, giving an exhibition of all that is good about boxing.
“I am surprised how easy I handled her,” she said. “When I boxed her in Fermoy last year, I only beat her by five points. I expected a really tough fight here, but it just shows how much I have improved.”
World and European champion at lightweight she stepped up to light-welter for this contest but it was never a problem.
“The plan was to keep my distance from the start — try to get in close and work the body — she is a good boxer and when your are conceding 3 kg you cannot afford to take chances. She is a great boxer and she has power,” she said.
“I was delighted with the reaction of the crowd. I think everyone was really impressed with the standard of women’s boxing. Hopefully now they will bring it in for the 2012 Olympics.
“I did not expect to get a medal today. That was a real surprise and it is something I will treasure. It’s my dream to box in the Olympics. It is on my mind all the time now. There is no reason why women’s boxing should not be included in the Olympic Games. We train as hard as the men and I hope that people will realise after this evening that women’s boxing is every bit as entertaining and every bit as competitive as men’s boxing.
“I spar with the High Performance Squad all the time and that is why I am winning those contests so easily.”
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