Jobstown U23 boxers impress

THE IRISH boxing squad recently held an international Round Robin event in Belfast ahead of the upcoming U23 European Championships which are being held in Hungary this November.

Team Ireland was made up of 16 fighters and went up against a Hungarian team, an English team as well as an Ulster select team. Notably there were four participants in Team Ireland from Jobstown Boxing Club.

Heavyweight Adam Olaniyan was among them. He picked up a first round stoppage victory against Ulster fighter Willie John McCartan.

His next bout was against British National Amatuer Champion Matthew Williams, a fighter who has been heavily touted as a top future prospect. The battle was an extremely close one however Olaniyan would ultimately emerge on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision.

Seven time Irish national champion Gabrielle Mongan also found herself in action.

Team Ireland’s Adam Olaniyan was the RSC1 winner over Team Ulster’s Willie John McCartan in a 90+kg contest

While Gabrielle beat another English fighter earlier this year in Lily Dolling she would be unable to replicate the feat as she was defeated by Crystal Barker via a unanimous decision. She would also fight in an exhibition bout against Ulster fighter Caprice Coiley which was labelled as a draw.

Tiffany Spencer was another Jobstown member taking part in the round robin tournament.

Fighting in the 48kg division, Spencer has won a host of titles this year including a national elite title as well as a national championship at U18 level.

Still so young with only a few years experience she is a real talent for the future.

She picked up a 5-0 unanimous decision victory over Hungarian fighter Lilla Szeleczki but lost to English National Senior Elite champion Walla Ali in a 4-1 decision.

Ryan Jenkins also fought at the event. After winning silver with a solid showing at the U23 championships this year and a gold at the Emerald box cup he earned his way into the team Ireland set up.

He was beaten by a 5-0 decision by English fighter Rio Gordon before winning against Hungarian Dominik Enekes via a unanimous decision. He also took part in an exhibition against Ulster’s Jon McConnell which ended in a draw.