BOXING: Ward reigns as Egan bows out
From the opening round Egan was in trouble. In the end, the gap was wider than it’s ever been, 25-5.
Immediately after the presentation of the belt, and to a sustained standing ovation, Egan announced his retirement.
“I had it in me head, win or lose I was going to retire, but I didn’t say it to anyone. It’s been a long road, I’m not getting any younger. It’s been an amazing career, now I’m going to start something else and I’m sure it will be just as good. I’m 24 years at it, that’s a long time — I remember my first fight like it was yesterday, in Darndale, and I won it by the way!”
It’s not just the titles he cherishes, it’s the memories.
“The travelling, the people I’ve met, the friends I’ve made — this day was always going to come but I thought tonight would be fitting for it. I don’t think I could go any further with the talent that’s in the wings, Joe is an exceptional talent and improving all the time.
“I thought I’d test him this year but he’s getting that bit better all the time and it’s brilliant to see. I said to him in the ring, I hope I’m around to share a few bits and pieces with him because I could add something to his arsenal — might only be the smallest thing but that might be the difference in winning an Olympic medal. If he puts the work in, trains as hard as I did over the years, he can win an awful lot.”
The new champion was equally gracious in his comments. “Ken Egan is a wonderful boxer, has been a wonderful ambassador for Ireland, I wish him all the best in his retirement and hope he goes on to achieve all he now wants to achieve. It’s sad this day had to come but it’s like any other legend, it has to end sometime.”
It all started with a parade, light-flyweight contender Hugh Myers proudly carrying the tricolour, 14 boxers in red entering the ring from one corner, 14 in blue from the other, facing each other across what had suddenly become a very crowded little square. Myers’ battle with his opponent from Belfast, TJ Waite was the first of five divisions in which a new champion would definitely be crowned, flu-hit defending champion Paddy Barnes unable to defend, and Myers — beaten in last year’s final — was determined to take advantage.
His whirlwind all-action style had him in front going into the final round but that effort takes its toll. “I felt tired going into the last round but I got a second wind from somewhere,” he said, and so he did, ended up as the new champion on a score of 17-8.
Another London 2012 Olympic bronze medallist, however, and another Belfast man, Michael Conlan, did defend his title and in the flyweight division, once again proved far too strong for all-comers, Kildare’s Chris Phelan proving no match for a man who is now also making waves in the semi-pro World Series of Boxing.
“The plan was to keep moving against Chris,” said Michael; “He’s a good strong fighter, you need to be fit. My footwork was key, it prevailed in there tonight — happy with my performance. I wasn’t really blowing at all.”
One fight Michael says he won’t be having anytime soon, however — a box-off to qualify for the European championships. “I won’t enter any box-off, if there is a box-off.”
Light-flyweight (49kg): Hugh Myers (Ryston) bt TJ Waite (Cairn Lodge) 17-8
Flyweight (52kg): Michael Conlan (St John Bosco) bt Chris Phelan (Ryston) 20-9
Bantamweight (56kg): Declan Geraghty (Crumlin) bt Gary McKenna (Old School) 16-7
Lightweight (60kg): Sean McComb (Holy Trinity) bt George Bates (St Mary’s) 19-7
Light-welterweight (64kg): Ross Hickey (Grangecon) bt Ray Moylette (St Anne’s) 15-11
Welterweight (69kg): Adam Nolan (Bray) bt Willie McLaughlin (Illies GG) 23-12
Middleweight (75kg): Jason Quigley (Finn Valley) bt Roy Sheahan (St Michael’s Athy) 15-6
Light-heavyweight (81kg): Joe Ward (Moate) bt Ken Egan (Neilstown) 25-5
Heavyweight (91kg): Tommy McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett) bt Jimmy Sweeney (Drimnagh) RSC R3
Super-heavyweight (91kg+): Sean Turner (Drimnagh) bt Niall Kennedy (Gorey) 21-8
Best boxer award: Adam Nolan.
WOMEN
Lightweight (60kg) International: Katie Taylor bt Karolina Graczyk (Poland) 28-5
Bantamweight (54kg): Dervla Duffy (Ryston) bt Michelle Lynch (Golden Gloves) RSC R3
Featherweight (57kg): Michaela Walsh (Holy Family) bt Joanna Lambe (Carrickmacross) 14-13
Light-welterweight (64kg): Kelly Harrington (Corinthians) bt Sarah Close (Holy Family) 13-10
Bantamweight (56kg): Declan Geraghty (Crumlin) bt Gary McKenna (Old School)
The tall rangy Geraghty proved far too strong for McKenna who got a standing count in round one and could have had a second. Will be a handful when he learns to do less dancing and more fighting.
Lightweight (60kg): Sean McComb (Holy Trinity) bt George Bates (St Mary’s)
In a contest that many though would be close, McComb was far too sharp for Bates, pulling away with every round to win convincingly.
Light-welterweight (64kg): Ross Hickey (Grangecon) bt Ray Moylette (St Anne’s)
“Cut the messing Ray and just box!” was the encouragement shouted to Moylette but he took no heed, show-boating when he should have been boxing. A great contest nonetheless between two game fighters, neither of whom seemed to want the referee in the ring. Tied after two, Hickey went on to avenge his Olympic box-off loss Moylette.
Welterweight (69kg): Adam Nolan (Bray) bt Willie McLaughlin (Illies GG) 23-12
The elegant and pure boxing skills of champion Nolan were enough to see off the relentless challenge of the hard-charging McLaughlin, but only just, the champion rocked by several heavy shots in the final minutes. Held on for a convincing points win, but showed great guts in doing so.
Middleweight (75kg): Jason Quigley (Finn Valley) bt Roy Sheahan (St Michael’s Athy)
Fast-improving Donegal youngster proved he can both take and give a good punch. Shipped a big left in round one, again in round three, survived a strong finish from the vastly experienced Sheahan to win his first Elite title and delight his huge travelling band of supporters.
Heavyweight (91kg): Tommy McCarthy (Oliver Plunkett) bt Jimmy Sweeney (Drimnagh)
It took McCarthy three rounds to find his range, a mere one point ahead after round one, two points ahead after two, but when Sweeney finally came chasing McCarthy was ready and two knockdowns, the second a cracking straight right, put a premature end to the fight, the first stoppage of the night.
Super-heavyweight (91+kg): Sean Turner (Drimnagh) bt Niall Kennedy (Gorey)
Turner was conceding several inches but nothing else, his heavier punches giving Kennedy a torrid time from first bell to last. Convincing winner, new champion.
WOMEN
Featherweight (57kg): Michaela Walsh (Holy Family) bt Joanna Lambe (Carrickmacross)
A cracking early contest, fortunes swinging first one way then the other, Walsh just getting the nod in the final round.
Bantamweight (54kg): Dervla Duffy (Ryston) bt Michelle Lynch (Golden Gloves)
The second stoppage of the night, Duffy too strong for Michelle, referee stepping in the third round.
Light-welterweight (64kg): Kelly Harrington (Corinthians) bt Sarah Close (Holy Family)
Great contest here and a great win for the popular Kelly Harrington. She earned it though, every minute a battle.
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