Egan to face self-proclaimed ‘best boxer’ in division
Egan, who eased past Julius Jackson of the Virgin Islands on Saturday, faces Turkey’s Bahram Muzaffer in the last 16 at the Workers’ Gymnasium on August 14.
The Turk, who defeated Aziz Ali of Kenya, declared: “I am the best boxer in the light-heavyweight category. I am the tallest and these Olympics are like the world championship, it is not foreign to me.”
However, Jackson believes Egan’s speed makes him an extremely difficult opponent and a serious medal contender.
“His timing is really good,” said Jackson whose brother John is competing in the welterweight. “His right hand is pretty good too and they were probably the main factors in him beating me. I think he will do well because he has beautiful timing.”
Jackson, trained by his father Julian, a former three-time world champion, had Egan rocked onto the canvas midway through the second round. But he admitted he never had another chance of landing a big punch on the Irish skipper.
“My right-hand is pretty good and I’m pretty strong. I tried to get my timing right but he has got good movement.”
And his advice for Muzaffer or anyone trying to stop Egan’s quest for a medal?
“If someone is going to beat him they are going to need to be quicker than he is. That is the only way they will beat him.”
The 27-year-old southpaw controlled the majority of Saturday’s light-heavyweight clash but had a scare when caught by that smashing right to the face. However he quickly regained his composure and picked off the points before winning 22-2.
Ireland coach Billy Walsh was delighted with the day’s work: “We are very happy. The first day is always the hardest in any tournament so you can imagine what it is like in an Olympics. There is a lot of pressure on this team coming out. In the context of the whole Irish Olympic team, people think the boxers have a chance of medals. Kenny is showing the boys the way now. It takes a little bit of pressure off the lads now who know it can be done.”
Walsh had few complaints about Egan’s showing, but admitted he was worried by the second-round slip-up.
“Kenny controlled the fight well — there was a lot of pressure on him. There was a scary bit in one round when he just switched off but he got it back on track. He just went asleep and that happens to him sometimes.
“But it is nice to ease your way into the tournament. It was just about Kenny controlling things and copping all those big rights. He did those things and we are happy.”
Walsh preferred to let Egan celebrate the success before beginning the strategy for Thursday.
“We will let him enjoy the day, then we sit down and analyse his next opponent and start planning.”
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