MONKSTOWN Boxing Club enjoyed another hugely successful edition of the annual Monkstown International Box Cup with 500 boxers arriving from 11 different countries around the world.
The event was greatly supported by the local Sallynoggin & Dun Laoghaire community – with 50 volunteers helping out in a various range of jobs from setting up the venue, registrations, car parks, cooking meals, running security among other tasks.
Over 1,000 local spectators were in situ each day trying to get a glimpse of the future Irish and world boxing champions along with the boxers, 200 coaches, 100 officials and their friends and families at St Joseph’s Boys sports hall in Sallynoggin.
The boxing tournament which had three rings running simultaneously throughout the three days was for boys and girls aged from 10 to 16 and was attended by clubs from Ireland (54 clubs), England (29), Scotland (6), Sweden (4), Norway (3), Wales (2), Finland (2), Denmark (2), Canada (1), Isle of Man (1) and Hungary (1).
Monkstown’s John-Paul Kinsella said of the success of the event: “It was amazing to see Dun Laoghaire Town Centre packed out with all these boys and girls in their representative club tracksuits. Every hotel/B&B/guesthouse was booked out well in advance, all the local restaurants/bars had an upsurge in custom from the boxing event.
“The planning of the event has been ongoing since its previous event last July. All of our 50 volunteers have been working extremely hard to make this an event to remember.
“The club has set up two separate committees to help deal with the amount of entries. In its seven-year existence now, it has the reputation as one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world.
“In particular, the committee would sincerely like to thank their sponsors & supporters IABA (Irish Athletic Boxing Assoc.), DLRCC (Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council), Globalmedics.com and St. Josephs Boys FC Sallynoggin. Also their army of volunteers who make this event happen.”
“The standard of boxing on show throughout the three days was exceptional – it’s a credit to all boxers and club coaches for the hard work they have all put in preparing for this event.
“There is no doubt there will be an upsurge in boys and girls wanting to join Monkstown BC and other local boxing clubs, with many parents asking how can their kids join, and where the local clubs are situated.”
On the results front, Monkstown BC continued their recent good form with their Under 17 Irish Heavyweight champion Jack Marley taking gold after two very hard bouts – winning both bouts by Unanimous decision.
He won the joint best boxer award with Isa Akram from the Rob Roy club in Glasgow.
Szabina Szabó (Tápiómente Boxing Club, Hungary) won the best female award while Machlan Arthur (Meadowbank ABC, Scotland) was the best junior fighter. Olympic BC won the best club award with the Mullingar club having nine champions.
