[ad_1]
World, European and Commonwealth champion Amy Broadhurst suffered a sensational defeat at the IABA Elite Championships at the National Stadium.
Even though it was a split decision, there was no doubt that Offaly’s Grainne Walsh was the better boxer in the last two rounds.
He is naturally more suited to the 66 kg welterweight division, having previously fought at a higher weight, while the Dundalk fighter was making his debut in the division.
All of his recent international success has been achieved in the light welterweight division and he is probably the best at lightweight.
European medallist, Walsh’s career has been hampered by injury for the last four years. She later revealed that a prominent surgeon told her she was one punch away from retirement.
“I just knew once I got in the ring that this was my time and nobody was going to take it away from me. I had four operations on my right thumb. And it’s totally under the radar but four weeks ago I had surgery on my toe after I dropped a dumbbell on it. I don’t want to say anything if someone stands on it.
We need your consent to load this social media content
We use several different social media outlets to administer additional content that may set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content.
“At 27 I had to switch things up and stop throwing some shots that would make my arm weak. But it all came to fruition there,” said Walsh, who was congratulated by Olympic champion Kelly Harrington after the medal presentation.
Surrounded by family and friends from Tullamore, Walsh said that his ambition was now to represent Ireland in the welterweight division at the Olympic qualifiers.
A weeping Broadhurst quickly left the presentation stage. She now needs to re-assess where she is in her career if she wants to fulfill her ambition of qualifying for the Olympics.
After dominating the first round, she was under pressure in the last two rounds. She looked tired after a long session, although the increase in weight was probably the reason for her sluggish performance.
Walsh won on a scorecard of 29–28; 29-28, 29-28, 27-30, 28-29.
Earlier, Enniskerry’s Daina Moorehouse secured the most important victory of her career when she beat European silver medalist Caitlin Frears to win the 50kg elite title and set herself up to represent Ireland in the flyweight category at the Olympic qualifiers in Krakow in June. Kept at the forefront.
Despite injuring his ankle in the second round that required a break in action while he was evaluated by the ringside doctor, the 21-year-old won a unanimous 5–0 decision.
It was arguably the hardest-won title in the final, as she was beaten by European bronze medalist Shannon Sweeney in the first round.
“I was worried when I went down but thank God, I got out of it. It was one of my biggest fights.
“We boxed twice and I knew it was going to be tough. I just had to keep it at a distance and not drag because she is so strong inside.
“The main thing now is the Olympic qualifiers and hopefully the World Championships as well. I would like to go to both of those.
Meanwhile, Dean Walsh continues his redemption story in the Olympic light middleweight division. After knocking out previous Olympic bronze medalist Aidan Walsh in the semi-finals, the Wexford fighter beat John O’Connell (Holy Trinity) 4–1 after one bout of the championship.
In the main, double European champion Aoife O’Rourke retained her middleweight title with a 5–0 unanimous decision over Aoibe Carbine (Gisala), while Tokyo Olympian and Commonwealth champion Michaela Walsh.
Sean Maree (Monkstown/Defense Forces) put on a completely dominant performance to win the flyweight title and the referee stopped the contest after the champ forced his opponent, Klapson Don Santos, to take his third standing count. Mari certainly looks bound for the Olympic qualifiers in Poland.
result:
Women’s Final:
50kg: Diana Moorhouse (Enniskerry) b Caitlin Friars (Immaculaya, Belfast) 5-0
75kg: Aoife O’Rourke (Olympic, Galway) bt Aoife Carbine (Gisala) 5-0
57kg: Michaela Walsh (Emerald, Belfast) b Kelsey Leonard (Unit 3, Kildare) 5-0
66kg Grainne Walsh (Spartacus) beat Amy Broadhurst (St Bronaghs) 3-2
Men’s Final:
Men’s Final:
71kg: Dean Walsh (St. Ibars/Joseph’s) bt John McConnell (Holy Trinity) 4-1
51kg: Sean Maree (Monkstown/Defence Forces) b Clapson Don Santos (Holy Trinity, Belfast) RD stop fighting Road 2.
[ad_2]
Source link
