(AUG 11) A new International Club
tournament, the Celtic Box Cup, was launched this week in the
West Waterford town of Dungarvan, home of the Peter Crotty
Ironman Gym and Dungarvan Sports Centre. The three day
tournament, which was launched by 8 times former Irish Champion,
Waterford’s Neil Gough, is scheduled to take place between
September 27th and 29th. Several top names, both male and female
are expected to take part.
This event is expected to attract
up to 300 boxers plus coaches, officials and supporters,
bringing the figure up to 700 for the three day boxing
tournament. That figure, if achieved, would give a huge economic
boost to the town at the end of the tourist season.
Dungarvan Town Council and local hotels, the Park Hotel and
Lawlors ,have come on board to ensure the success of this
competition which is also receiving aid from The Gathering, a
yearlong festival which encourages former Irish residents plus
their families and friends to visit Ireland in 2013.
The Sports Centre's reputation as a boxing venue has been
enhanced in recent years by the successful hosting of the
national teams of China, France, England and Russia, whilst
Olympic Gold medallist Katie Taylor had a fine win there against
England’s former European champion
Amanda Coulson in 2007 . That night saw Taylor’s hand raised in
victory on the ‘old’ 15 point rule as she led the then world no
9 , by 19-4 when the referee stopped the contest in Round 2.
Taylor’s most recent win in Dungarvan was in March 2012 when she
gained a unanimous points win over Liz Leddy of the United
States. As we reported here at the time, Taylor had earlier that
week defeated Leddy in Cork City in which the American had put
up a gallant fight throughout the four rounds.
In Dungarvan ,Taylor was to have boxed N’yeetah Sherman also of
the United States but she was injured and Leddy once again
stepped into the ring to face the World champion. Taylor won
another unanimous decision on that occasion but her Portland BC
opponent again put up a brave fight in what was Taylor’s final
bout before going to China where she won the World championship
for the 3rd successive time on her march to London 2012 and
Olympic Gold.
The attendance at the recent launch included the Mayor of
Dungarvan, Cllr Theresa Wright and Mayor of Co Waterford, Cllr
Damien Geoghegan, who both wished the organizers well and looked
forward to the tournament.
Dungarvan's place on the world boxing map was highlighted and
the fact that World and Olympic champions have donned their
gloves in the ring at Dungarvan Sports Centre, among them Katie
Taylor and Amir Khan.
