In what was a great week for Fermanagh boxers competing at the Ulster Novice and Ulster Senior championships in Belfast this week as Rhys Owens capped off a fine campaign for the Lakeland County by winning the Ulster Senior Lightweight (60kgs) title.

Owens was a heavy underdog going into his final against the more experienced Lee McKee (Star Boxing Club Belfast) but fresh off his good win in Denmark last week the Erne Boxing Club boxer put in a scintillating performance to take the win.

McKee was very big and strong at the weight so Owens wisely applied hit and move tactics in the opening round and after landing with several clean shots to head and body and adeptly evading his opponent’s efforts he took the opener clearly.

In the second round, his opponent tried to change tactics and sought to counterpunch, but Owens was quicker of hand and foot and again outscored his opponent to take the round.

In the final session Owens had to withstand a spirited effort from McKee and was forced to stand and trade punches at times but despite the final round being closer he was a deserved unanimous points winner and became the Erne Boxing Club’s first Ulster Senior champion in the process.

Earlier in the week, Erne Boxing Club had Anthony Malanaphy competing in the Light Welterweight (63.5kg) category.

An unkind draw pitted Malanaphy against John McConnell (Holy Trinity Boxing Club) in the Semi-finals; McConnell earlier in the month narrowly missed out of winning a National Elite title following a contentious decision in Dublin.

Despite the quality opponent Malanaphy started purposefully and took the fight to McConnell but the Belfast boxer was an exemplary backfoot stylist.

Malanaphy had plenty moments of success in round one, but McConnell was always quick to reply with better shots of his own and secured the opener.

Malanaphy continued to press and force the fight over the final two rounds and had some good sporadic success, but McConnell’s movement and more eye-catching shots especially when Malanphy tired kept him ahead.

Some of the judges favoured Malanaphy’s work in the final two session but despite the judges’ opinions being split in the final two rounds McConnell deservedly collected a unanimous decision and subsequently went on to win the title.

Erne Boxing Club Head Coach Sean Crowley was delighted with the performances of his boxers.

“The two lads did great this week. Rhys Owens really raised his game and took his performance to another level to become our first Ulster Senior champion.

“He has proved that he is now ready to step up another level and will now target the Ulster Elite championships in December.

“Likewise, Anthony Malanaphy did great too.

“Although there was some notable ring rust in his performance, he was up against one of the very best in the country and some of the judges scored the last two rounds in his favour, so all things considered it was a very credible performance from him,” commented coach Crowley.

The Erne Boxing Club’s busy return to competition continues with boxers competing in the Ulster Schoolgirl championships in Omagh this week and in the Celtic Box Cup in Dungarvan, Co Waterford at the weekend.

“We hope to get both Anthony and Rhys out again next weekend in Dungarvan as that is another fantastic high-level competition but we’re also really looking forward to our latest charge Katie Rasdale making her debut.

“She a fantastic prospect and we are confident she’ll win an Ulster title this week and progress on to National honours in future,” added Sean Crowley.

Finally the Erne Boxing Club congratulates Enniskillen Athletic Boxing Club’s Dylan Bogue on winning his Ulster Novice title and Ederney Boxing Club’s Aaron and Rory Baird on their Ulster Silver medals.