O’Neill fancies chances of lifting fifth National title

London 2012 Olympian Darren O’Neill believes he can claim a fifth National Elite Boxing title against towering Athlone heavyweight Ken Okungbowa on Friday night. O’Neill, who has moved up to heavyweight after winning four belts at middleweight, beat Dublin’s John Joe McDonagh in Saturday’s 91kg semi-final at Dublin’s National Stadium to reach his 9th Elite final.

Okungbowa overcame Ulster’s Stephen McMonagle in the other semi to set up a three-rounder with the 2011 European Elite silver medallist. O’Neill said: “Ken is a big, strong man. You can see that just by his definition. It is going to be a test as I’m moving up to heavyweight for the first time. He’s going to physically pressure me.