Bates is off to a bright start
ST MARY’S Boxing Club’s George Bates made an impressive start to his quest for the National Elite Light Welterweight Boxing title on Friday night in the National Stadium.
Up against Michael Avetisian in the quarter finals, Bates saw this contest brought to a close in the third round by the referee because of a cut sustained by his Swords opponent.
St Mary's light welterweight George Bates is into the Elite semi-finals
The Tallaght man’s coach, Noel Burke was pleased with the perform-ance of his young boxer.
“George was up against a shorter boxer who was fast in his responses, but George managed his distances well.
“We knew he [Avetisian] liked to counter punch, but George just out-waited him and drew him on and then counter-punched him,” he explained.
Winning the National Elite Lightweight title last season, Bates has since moved up to the Olympic 63kg and appears to have made the transition well.
Next up for him will be a semi final clash with Keith Flavin of Paulstown Boxing Club on Saturday night.
“He [Flavin] is a good honest boxer who’ll stand up and give it his all, but we feel George can beat anyone,” insisted Burke.
“He’s prepared for this well and mentally he’s strong. Winning the title last year made a big difference and he’s really turned a corner.”
There was no joy for Bates’clubmate Adam Courtney as he lost out to Tommy Casey of St Francis in the 57kg preliminaries.
On Friday, St Mary’s will have Gillian Duffy in action against defending Women’s Welterweight champion Grainne Walsh in the semi finals.
While it will be a tough fight for Duffy, the former Bray boxer will be bolstered by her recent win in the Esker Cup and coach Burke has pointed out “she’s very honest in her training and she’s prepared for this challenge.”
Meanwhile there is no one in the Women’s Lightweight class to face St Mary’s World champion Kellie Harrington, but she is expected to fight a challenge bout on the finals night on Saturday, February 23.
“Kellie has improved even more since her win in the World Championships. She’s stepped it up,” said Burke.
