Boxer Rhys Owens became the first Fermanagh man to win a National Elite title since 1973 last Friday night.

The competition began earlier this month, at the National Stadium, as the Erne Boxing Club member defeated Adam Kiely, of Saviours Crystal at the quarter-final stage with a 4-1 split decision.

He went on to claim victory in the semi-finals last Thursday against Avona fighter Lee McEvoy.

After a close and technical bout last Friday, Owens claimed another points decision win over Monivea boxer, and former Elite titleholder, Adam Hession and was awarded the national title in the 60kg matchup.

Owens is coached by Sean Crowley and became the first Fermanagh boxer to win a National Elite title since Gordon Ferris in 1973.

“It felt unbelievable,” Owens said on the win. “It felt like a relief, like a weight off my shoulders because I trained hard the past ten-twelve weeks, well, the past number of years I have been training for it.

"The last ten weeks I have been putting pressure on myself to perform and to win it, so, yeah it was an unbelievable feeling and relief to get across the line.”

He added: “The fights were three tough matches against three good lads. The final was probably the toughest, in fairness, I didn’t feel too nervous getting into the ring but when the first round got started, the tactics were to go looking for him and put the pressure on.

"By me doing that, he kinda gave me a bit of a boxing lesson, so, it was panic stations getting back to the corner after the first round.

"Sean just told me to relax a bit and change tactics. Once I got boxing then and doing what I do best, boxing on the back foot, I took over and outboxed him but he he made me work for it.

"He’s a good lad, an experienced lad, he’s won a few Elite titles himself and represented Ireland at major tournaments, he made me work really hard in there.”

The quarter-final match was the first time Owens had competed in a fight since May and admitted it took the opening round against Adam Kiely to get up and running.

“The Manchester Boxing Club was the last time I boxed, back in May,” he continued.

“It was at the weight above at 63.5 kilos as well, so, I hadn’t boxed in 60 kilos since March, so seven months.

"It was a perfect draw for me because the lad I boxed in the first round was probably the least experienced, so it was ideal for me to get not a handier bout an easier one on paper to get out of the way first and lead me onto the rest.

"The first round was a bit nip and tuck in that first fight, but once I got it out of the way, I felt like I cruised it. I felt comfortable.

"I had been sparring and training hard, so, it was just trying to get the first three minutes out of the way and dust off that wee bit of rust, but after the first round I felt like where I was back in May.”

With a first Elite title going to Fermanagh since 1973, Owens is hoping the next won’t be as long of a wait.

He wants to see the next generation follow his footsteps: “Obviously its good for me and my self-esteem but hopefully it boots open the doors for the younger generation of boxers to come through and push on and say ‘If he can do it, I can do it’.

"I think it was 50-odd years, (since the last Fermanagh champion) hopefully it puts Enniskillen and Fermanagh back on the map again for boxing.”

The 22-year-old has high ambitions and is hoping last Friday’s win will put his name out there when it comes to the national set-up.

He said: “I’ve no tournaments coming up but hopefully I’ll get a call down to Dublin for an assessment to get placed on the Irish team full-time.

"Hopefully, the Irish coaches have took notice and call me down for selection because Adam (Hession) is on the Irish team and has been a part of the high performance for the past number of years, so, hopefully defeating him will give me the call-up and maybe then I can compete in the World Championships in May time. That would be the big one.”