Erne Boxing Club host memorable night of international boxing
Last Friday, a packed crowd at the Westville Hotel in Enniskillen enjoyed a thrilling and unforgettable evening of international boxing.
The event, hosted by Erne Boxing Club in collaboration with the IABA (Irish Athletic Boxing Association) High-Performance Unit, saw Ireland's Elite Boxing Team face off against a visiting team from Austria.
Despite some last minute withdrawals due to injuries and travel issues there were ten highly entertaining contests that included seven international contests and three supporting contests featuring Erne boxers.
The night's action got underway with Erne's Ben Millar taking on Jack Willis (Gateway Sligo BC) in a 50kg Youth Contest.
Millar made a fast start peppering his opponent with hard jabs to take control of the contest.
After landing with unanswered combinations on several occasions he forced his brave opponent to take two stsnding counts and the referee to halt the contest in round two, handing Millar an RSC victory.
Next up saw home favourite Cameron Suttle against the heavy-punching Alex McAleer (Ballyshannon BC) in a 67kg Senior Welterweight contest.
Suttle established control of the contest working away behind the jab and held a solid guard to defend against his opponent's soild counter attacks.
The good jab work from Suttle bloodied his opponent's nose and a good volley of punches forced his opponent to take a standing count.
McAleer fought back gamely and had a good spell on top but Suttle rallied again forcing further nose damage and his opponent to take another standing count. The contest was subsequently called off afterwards handing Suttle an RSC win in round three.
In the final supporting contest, Erne's Anthony Malanaphy took on Naoise McManus (Dumsna BC) in another 67kg Welterweight contest.
McManus had beaten Anthony's clubmate Cameron Suttle earlier in the season and so he was on something of a revenge mission.
For two rounds Malanaphy showed his subline skillset peppering McManus with his eye-catching long-range punches and his trademark uppercuts when in close.
However, in round three Malanaphy opted to stand and trade with McManus who got inspired by his success and it resulted in an uncomfortable last round for the home favourite. However, Malanaphy dug deep and deservedly collected a unaminous 5-0 points win.
This contest was followed by some traditional Irish Dancing from talented dancing sisters Chloe and Charley Gilmurray who entertained the visitors and large crowd.
Following the parade of the two international teams, rising country singing star Cara McGillion sang great renditions of Danny Boy and Amhrán na bhFiann.
Ireland's Gavin Ryan beat Michel Marinkovic (Austria) in the opening international contest at Bantamweight and Lee McEvoy followed that with a victory over Eric Banas at Featherweight.
Next up was the main attraction Rhys Owens v Mery Ayan (Austria) in a Lightweight contest.
Owens received a rapturous applause on his way to the ring and started the contest a bit nervously. Ayan took advantage and got the better of the early exchanges.
However, Owens warmed into the contest and once he found his range he started to land with hurtful body shots.
The opening round was very close but some sharp three-punch eye-catching combinations from Owens would have seen him edge the first session.
In round two, Owens was buoyant and was now relishing the occasion. He applied constant pressure and although his Austrian opponent fought back gamely he was simply being outgunned and overwhelmed by the Erne starlet.
Quality Owens combinations that mixed shots from body to head force Ayan to take a standing count and on resumption there was no let up.
Owens knew he had his man going and continued to apply pressure and after landing with another hurtful combination the contest was called off handing him an RSC victory in round two.
The large crowd raised the roof as Owens hand was officially raised in victory.
There were a further two wins and two reverses for team Ireland in the final four team contests as the hosts romp to a 5-2 victory in the team match.
Luke Hall (Ireland) beat Alfred Nana (Austria) by unanimous decision at Welterweight.
Matthew McCole beat Rahman Altamirov (Austria) by RSC in round three at Light- Middleweight.
Jason Clancy (Ireland) lost to Lucky Aimufa (Austria) by Split Decision 3-2 at Light-Heavyweight.
Brian Kennedy (Ireland) lost to Micael Derouchie (Austria) by Unanimous Decision 5-0.
Event organiser and Erne Boxing Club Head Coach Sean Crowley said: "It was a fantastic night for the club and a great night for Fermanagh. We have so many people and businesses that supported us to thank that we don't know where to start.
"Our four boxers that competed tonight boxed absolutely brilliantly and impressed in front of the National coaches.
"To get four wins out of four and especially to see Rhys win in an international vest in front of the home fans made all the stress and many tireless hours of unpaid work worthwhile for me, the club coaches and all the volunteers that made this event possible.
"We did a great job of showcasing the beautiful county of Fermanagh and with further support could bring a major international competition like a European Championship in the future- that would be a great way to relaunch the new Lakeland forum when it reopens.
"I just want to finish on behalf of the club by thanking all those key people that helped out, we are indebted to you."
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