Jobstown boxer Olaniyan opens the door to European competition

JOSHUA Olaniyan rekindled the prospect of international boxing after capturing the National Under 18 Middleweight title when he carded a 5-0 victory over a tough Troy Norman of Cherry Orchard in Friday’s final.

The Jobstown boxer, who had missed out on international competition with the Ireland Cadet team because of Covid restrictions, now has the opportunity to fight for his country in the European Under 18 Championships in April.

Last Friday night’s triumph marked a fifth national title for Olaniyan, who had to contend with a serious challenge from his Orchard opponent.

But Jobstown coach Amanda Spencer was very impressed with the manner in which he went about that task, saying “Joshua just produced superb punching, scoring nearly every time.

“His opponent really came at him. He brought the fight to him and he had a good game plan, but Joshua was just so calm throughout every round and really knew how to control it.

“He didn’t waste anything. He didn’t throw any wild punches, just picked him off with precise shots and got out of there. It was just a really great boxing fight” she said.

The victory marked the completion of an impressive campaign by Olanyian who chalked up two fine wins en route the final, including an impressive 4-1 triumph over Cyrus Palmer of Celtic Eagles BC in the penultimate rounds.

For Jobstown, Olaniyan’s success made it four national titles since only December for the club who will be fielding no less than nine boxers in the upcoming Dublin Championships.

And Olaniyan will be hoping to add to that roll of honour for the club, with which he started boxing as a nine-year-old, when he hopefully steps out on to the European stage later this year.

His brother Adam won gold at the European Schoolboys some three years ago, and Olaniyan will be aiming to replicate that feat at Under 18 degree.