It was a great weekend for the Erne Boxing Club last week with good victories registered on both sides of the Atlantic.
Anthony Malanaphy’s great run continued as he put in another good performance to register another win at the National Stadium in Dublin last Friday evening.
Malanaphy put on a masterclass in his National Senior Championship 63.5kg quarterfinal decider against Michael O’Domhniall (Connemara Boxing Club).
A bright start saw Malanaphy pick off his Connemara opponent with crisp jabs and clean backhands before using good defensive work to avoid any reply.
He dominated the second in similar fashion and confidently in command he stood his ground and traded with his strong opponent in the final round before deservedly collecting a unanimous 5-0 decision.
A few hours later on the other side of the Atlantic at the St Catharine’s Boxing Club tournament in Ontario, Canada the winning run continued.
The Ernesiders had four boxers in action competing against Canadian opposition. Due to age differences (their opponents being more than two years older) Ciaran Cassidy and Caoilfhionn Crowley could only compete in exhibition matches.
Cassidy boxed the host Club’s Omar Nori and it was a high tempo affair as both combatants had quick hands and let plenty of punches fly.
Caoilfhionn Crowley put in a very dominant display against Vanshika (Bramalea Boxing Club) landing with some heavy punches that got acknowledgement from the large crowd.
“She opened a large can of whoop ass” commented tournament promoter Joe Corrigan of St Catharine’s Boxing Club.
Next up saw Rhys Owens in action against a tricky southpaw opponent Adrian Davin (Beaver Boxing Club).
Davin made the brighter start and took control of contest in the opener. Whilst the Canadian landed more in the first two thirds of the round to deservedly take the session, Owens was starting to get the measure of his opponent.
More aggressive
Owens boxing more aggressive in the second and produced good quality punches to head and body to dominant the session.
With the contest in the balance, it was Owens who was able to raise his game in the final round.
Both boxers landed with good shots but Owens set the pace and generally outworked his opponent to register a unanimous points win in a good competitive contest.
Oisin Gilheaney was last up but had the large 300 plus crowd on the edge of their seats as he took part in a war of attrition with Aeson Cabangon (Border City Boxing Club).
Cabangon came out swinging and got off to the better start. Gilheaney weathered the early storm and came firing back in a round that went back and forth.
The Canadian edged the opener but Gilheaney dictated the action in round two and landed with some heavy shots to hand and body to clearly take the second.
In round three buoyed by his success Gilheaney came out fast in round three and landed with strong punches early on.
Cabangon fought back gamely but a strong finish from Gilheaney saw him edge the final round and take a unanimous points win.
The great weekend of boxing was rounded off with another win as Amy Nolan took Gold at the Esker Female Box Cup in Dublin on Sunday.
Nolan competed in a straight final against an English opponent Ella Tompstone (North West Women’s Warriors).
Despite conceding height and reach to her opponent, Nolan was able to find the target with good clean punches at range before getting in close and bullying her on the inside.
After three very dominant rounds the decision was never in doubt as Nolan won a unanimous decision.
The busy schedule for Erne Boxing Club continues this week as Anthony Malanaphy competes in his National Senior Championship semi-final on Friday in the National Stadium.
Then on Sunday Neil Walmsley and Lana Kelly compete in the National Novice Championships.
Walmsley competes in a quarterfinal at Heavyweight (91kgs) and Kelly in a straight final at Light-welterweight (6
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