PHOTO SLIDESHOW (contact rich.bergeron@gmail.com for photo copies):
Boxing fans packed the Manchester Downtown Hotel Wednesday night to take in a spectacular night of elite amateur boxing. This was the final stop on a three-city tour of Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts and Manchester, New Hampshire. The scheduled fights featured Team USA amateurs facing the best amateur boxers from Ireland. By the final bell, Ireland managed to finish the eight bouts of the evening with a tie score, their best outcome of the tour. Team USA won the first two duals of the tour in Boston and Springfield, ਕ੍ਰਮਵਾਰ, ਦੇ ਸਕੋਰ ਦੇ ਕੇ 8-4 ਅਤੇ 7-3.
ਬੇਨਟੌਨ ਨੇ ਪਹਿਲੇ ਗੇੜ ਵਿੱਚ ਇੱਕ ਸਵਰਮਿੰਗ ਅਟੈਕ ਦਾ ਧੰਨਵਾਦ ਕੀਤਾ. He worked in and out of range with 1-2 combos and sparing hooks. He used all his angles well, pivoting out of trouble and into effective range with ease. Kelley struggled to land counters until the final moments of the round when he landed his own flurry of 1-2 ਕੰਬੋਜ਼.
Kelley started the second round with much more energy and poise. He landed early and often, winging left hands and opening up a cut on Benton’s lip. Benton slipped some of the more dangerous punches, blocked shots well and landed some crisp, hard shots of his own. His best exchange was a left and right hook to the head that landed near the middle of the round.
Kelley slowed down a bit in the final round, unable to find his ideal range. He landed some hard right hands, a well-placed body shot and unloaded with a late flurry. Benton kept busy early in the round and artfully ducked under a bombing right hook from Kelley. The judges seemed more impressed with Kelley’s composure in the final two rounds as Benton kept getting drawn in to sloppy brawling. Kelley edged out the win by a 2-1 margin.
The light welterweights came next, producing another tight contest. Ireland’s Caoimhin Ferguson fought Team USA’s Charlie Sheehy with a slightly better tactical approach, earning another split decision victory for his squad.
Sheehy took on a more cautious and patient approach in the first round, waiting for the perfect moment to throw and land. His best punches of the round included a hard right hand to the body and a starching jab. Ferguson put in more work in the frame, scoring on multiple hooks to the head and unleashing wild and crazy flurries a few times. One particular left hook crashed hard into Sheehy’s head in the final moments of the round.
Ferguson landed some decent shots in the second round, but Sheehy was much more composed. He worked around the wild-swinging, hard-charging assault by keeping his distance and scoring from outside with some crisp rights to the chin. The fighters exchanged some hooks to the body and wound up in a clinch before the end of the round.
Sheehy struggled to string punches together in the final round. Though he had a nice straight right hand working for him, Ferguson was able to penetrate his defense. Ferguson landed a thumping left hook early and went on to land a few more bombs before losing his mouthpiece in one exchange. Likely knowing he needed to finish strong to get the judges on his side, Ferguson rushed in with a final torrent of hooks in the final seconds. He earned a 2-1 decision win for his tenacity.
Welterweights Kieron Molloy (Ireland) and Freudis Rojas, ਜੂਨੀਅਰ. (ਅਮਰੀਕਾ) squared off in another bout. Both fighters are previous World Championship Bronze Medalists with Molloy also claiming nine Irish National titles and Rojas winning the US nationals 10 times so far. It was another close shave win for Team Ireland.
Rojas was clearly the more active fighter in the first round. He used a consistent jab and increased his work rate through the frame. He ket busy on offense right up until the bell. Molloy began the round winging shots and trying to figure out his range. He unleashed a bit late in some of the more fierce exchanges, couldn’t figure out how to get his combinations going, and had a tough time catching up with the faster Rojas. Molloy did land some excellent straight lefts, ਪਰ.
The next round went much better for the Irish southpaw. He started with an uptick in his punch output, though he still struggled to land combos. At one point in the round, Molloy connected with a huge straight left, followed up by a nice power jab, slowing down his opponent. Rojas kept coming forward but couldn’t capitalize on scoring opportunities in the round. A late flurry of punches from Rojas wasn’t enough for him to steal the round.
Rojas landed some excellent shots in the final round, going downstairs to the body frequently. He also caught Molloy against the ropes, blasting him with straight punches. Molloy fought the smarter round, ਪਰ, picking the best times to throw and often catching Rojas with his hands down. His best exchange of the round featured a huge 1-2 connecting to the head and a wild left hook to the head. A final swarm of punches from the Irish fighter closed the show and earned him a 2-1 split decision win.
Team USA’s Nikita Ababiy scored a hard-fought win in a wild affair before the main event with Team Ireland’s Gerard French. The first round saw Ababiy jabbing well. The American came into the fight with a very non-traditional boxing stance with one hand low, but his posture seemed to be effective in luring his opponent into punching range. Ababiy landed some booming hooks and a nice left uppercut that backed up French. ਇਸ ਦੌਰਾਨ, French concentrated on trying to land counters. He had a lower work rate but also didn’t take too much punishment.
French spent the second round trying to exchange in close quarters. He landed more shots later in the round, including some heated right hooks in the final moments. Ababiy connected with some thumping shots in the round and showcased some nice defense as well. He mixed up his shots to the body and head, throwing and covering up to wait for the next opening. Ababiy landed a nice left hook to the head followed up with a picture perfect right uppercut in the final minute. He ended the round well on his way to his first win.
The final round saw Ababiy slow down a bit, but he was still effective enough to carry the frame. French managed some crisp left hooks to the head, but he couldn’t figure out the different style his opponent brought to the ring. The American cruised to the unanimous decision win.
The night also began with the only stoppage on the card thanks to a wild brawl between local 132-pound Manchester, NH novices Michael Correa and Abhisek Thapa. Correa took off across the ring upon hearing the opening bell and unleashed one wild flurry after another. Thapa didn’t let the tornado swallow him up, ਪਰ. He ust covered up and waited for his opportunities. It only took a couple minutes for Correa to start tiring out from the relentless attack. Thapa then waded in to land some of the most impressive shots of the night, forcing the referee to stop the fight for three standing eight counts before the end finally came with a whirlwind of power punches from Thapa.
There was also a guest appearance made by the boxer Floyd Mayweather, ਜੂਨੀਅਰ. still calls his toughest opponent ever, Emanuel Augustus (3-34-6, 20 ਕੋਸ). Augustus participated in a reunion the previous night with “ਆਇਰਿਸ਼” Micky ਵਾਰਡ (38-13, 27 ਕੋਸ), celebrating one of the best fights in the history of the sport, which took place on July 13, 2001. Augustus stuck around for the fights and even came into the ring to showcase that he still has the same punching prowess that made him one of the most entertaining fighters of his era.
“We learned from this tour that we’re right up there with the best teams in the world,” Team USA head coach Billy Walsh said. “Team Ireland is a very good, young team. We’re going to have a good team to send to Tokyo (2020 ਓਲੰਪਿਕ). I’m proud of my team. They all worked very hard. We didn’t have some of our best boxers because some were competing in an International tournament We do have a good crop of 18-19-20 year-olds who will make up our 2020 Olympic team.”
Team Ireland also brought their own production crew to film all the action for those who couldn’t be there:
MANCHESTER, N.H. (ਮਾਰਚ 22, 2018) – Last night’s third and final stop on USA Boxing’s 2018 ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਬਨਾਮ. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour ended in a 4-4 draw at Downtown Manchester Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire. Team USA won the team tour title, 2-0-1.
Team USA had won the first two duals of the tour in Boston and Springfield, ਕ੍ਰਮਵਾਰ, ਦੇ ਸਕੋਰ ਦੇ ਕੇ 8-4 ਅਤੇ 7-3.
“We learned from this tour that we’re right up there with the best teams in the world,” Team USA head coachਬਿਲੀ ਵਾਲਸ਼ ਨੇ ਕਿਹਾ ਕਿ. “Team Ireland is a very good, young team. We’re going to have a good team to send to Tokyo (2020 ਓਲੰਪਿਕ). I’m proud of my team. They all worked very hard. We didn’t have some of our best boxers because some were competing in an International tournament We do have a good crop of 18-19-20 year-olds who will make up our 2020 Olympic team.”
Team Ireland led last night’s team scoring, 4-3, going into the final match of the night, a super heavyweight rematch. The 2016 Youth World Championships bronze medalistਰਿਚਰਡ Torrezonce again defeated there-time Irish National ChampionDean Gardiner,
Third time was the charm for Brooklyn middleweightNikita Ababiy, who broke into the win column with a 3-0 unanimous decision overGerard French, keeping the Americans hope alive to deadlock the final score with one match to go.
In a battle between southpaw welterweights, nine-time Irish National Champion and World Championships bronze medalist, Kieron Molloytook a 2-1 split decision overFreudis Rojas, ਜੂਨੀਅਰ., a 10-time national champion and World Championships bronze medalist.
Irish light welterweightCaoimhin Ferguson ਜਿੱਤਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ 2-1 split decision victory over California light welterweightCharlie Sheeyto give Team Ireland a 3-2 advantage.
Eight-time Irish National champion and European Championships bronze medalistWayne Kelley ਜਿੱਤਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ 2-1 split decision versus Cincinnati light welterweightAdrian Benton, the 13-time national champion making his International match debut.
In his International debut, two-time USA Boxing championJames Browningਜਿੱਤਿਆ ਨੂੰ ਇੱਕ 2-1 decision over Irish lightweightFrancis Cleary, a nine-time Irish National champion and European Championships silver medalist, in a very entertaining lightweight match.
ਨਾਂ ਕਰੋ. 2-rated American middleweightLeah Cooperdropped her opponent, eight-time National Irish National champion and European Championships bronze medalistAdolfe Burke, en route to a 3-0 ਸਰਬਸੰਮਤੀ ਦਾ ਫੈਸਲਾ.
World Championship silver medalistKellie Harringtondefeated lightweightStacia Suttlesfor the second time on the tour by the identical score, 3-0, giving Team Ireland its first lead of the tour, albeit temporary, in last night’s tour opener.
In a Special Manchester Lightweight novice class match, Michael Correa (Manchester PAL) ਨੂੰ ਹਰਾ Abhisek Thapa (Title Boxing) when the referee stopped the contest in the opening round.
Emanuel Augustus joins special guests Micky Ward & Steve Smoger to complete memorable fight
ਮਾਰਚ 21 ਮੈਨਚੇਸ੍ਟਰ ਵਿੱਚ, NH
ਟਾਲੀਡੋ, ਗੋਦ. (ਮਾਰਚ 19, 2018) – Retired pro boxerEmanuel Augustushas confirmed his attendance this week at a USA Boxing-hosted reunion of the 2001 ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਲੜਾਈ, associated with the final stop on the 2018 ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਬਨਾਮ. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour festivities in Manchester, New Hampshire.
The 2001 Fight of the Year was held July 13, 2001, at Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton, NH., and it is still considered one of the greatest matches ever broadcast on ESPN. “ਆਇਰਿਸ਼” Micky ਵਾਰਡwon an incredibly entertaining, back-and-forth junior welterweight match-up with “boxing cult” heroEmanuel Augustus, by way of a 10-round unanimous decision that was much closer than the judges’ scoring indicated (98-90, 96-91, 96-94).
“Ward versus Augustus was truly the event of the year in boxing and we’re so happy it was held right here in New Hampshire,” said Stephen, who has been in his position as chairman since 1974, “Micky was losing the fight until the later rounds. As the chairperson of he commission, I checked the judges’ scorecards after six or seven rounds and Micky was losing. ਫਿਰ, Micky caught Augustus, dropped and really hurt him. He went on to win a great fight.”
The high-profile win positioned Ward for what turned out to be his epic Gatti trilogy, while Augustus went on to become one of the most dangerous, upset-minded opponents in boxing. ਵਾਰਡ, Augustus and the third man in the ring that night, Hall of Fame refereeSteve Smoger, will host as USA Alumni Association event Tuesday, ਸਾਗਰ. 20 at The Shaskeen Pub & Restaurant (909 Elm St. ਮੈਨਚੇਸ੍ਟਰ ਵਿੱਚ), 'ਤੇ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ 6 ਦੁਪਿਹਰ. ਅਤੇ.
The trio will also be joined by two others closely associated with the 2001 ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਲੜਾਈ, Chairman of the New Hampshire Boxing and Wrestling Commission, Bobby Stephen, as well as International matchmaker, Eric Bottjer, who made the Ward-Augustus fight in 2001.
All five will also attend the USA Boxing Alumni Association event as well as the following night’s (ਸਾਗਰ. 21) ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਬਨਾਮ. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour finale at the Manchester Downtown Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire.
SPECIAL MANCHESTER AMATEUR BOXING MATCH ADDED
A special lightweight novice WILL open the competition, showcasing two Manchester amateur boxers, Abhisek Thapa (Title Boxing Club) ਅਤੇ Michael Correa (Manchester PAL).
Presented by Corona Premium, the Manchester event will start at7 ਦੁਪਿਹਰ. EST, and it also serves as a fundraiser for another partner of the show, the Manchester PAL Boxing Club.
ਟਿਕਟ 'ਤੇ ਮੁਨਾਸਬ ਚੋਣ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ $20.00 ਜਨਰਲ ਦਾਖਲੇ ਲਈ, $30 for reserved ringside seats, and available to purchase on Seacoast Ticket Agency’s website, www.seacoastticket.com, the official ticket distributor for the event.
“We’re so happy to have the USA-Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour here in Manchester,” Stephen added. “The talent on both squads is extraordinary. We’re honored to have these two teams here for this big event. It’s a credit to USA Boxing and (special events director) Al Valenti, who has done so much over the years for boxing in New Hampshire. Boxing was very popular here many years ago. People turned out in droves to attend the Golden Gloves. There’s a boxing resurgence and that’s so important to teach young people discipline, respect and conditioning that’s so needed today. These amateurs do their best for the love of boxing; they aren’t in it for money like professionals.
“Micky is honorable, a real nice person. It means a lot for local fans and boxers to meet him. We were fortunate to have him fight in New Hampshire on serval occasions and nobody who watched his fight Augustus or his trilogy withਆਰਟੂਰੋ Gattiwill never forget.”.
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland ਪੂਰਬ ਮੁੱਕੇਬਾਜ਼ੀ ਟੂਰ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਲਿੱਕ ਕਰੋ.
ਟਾਲੀਡੋ, ਗੋਦ. (ਮਾਰਚ 12, 2018) – USA Boxing is hosting a special reunion, featuring two key members of the 2001 ਸਾਲ ਦੇ ਲੜਾਈ, to be part of the final stop on the 2018 ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਬਨਾਮ. Ireland ਪੂਰਬ ਮੁੱਕੇਬਾਜ਼ੀ ਟੂਰ, ਮਾਰਚ 21at the Manchester Downtown Hotel in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Presented by Corona Premium, the Manchester event will start at7 ਦੁਪਿਹਰ. EST, and it also serves as a fundraiser for another partner of the show, the Manchester PAL Boxing Club.
ਟਿਕਟ 'ਤੇ ਮੁਨਾਸਬ ਚੋਣ ਕਰ ਰਹੇ ਹਨ $20.00 ਜਨਰਲ ਦਾਖਲੇ ਲਈ, $30 for reserved ringside seats, and available to purchase on Seacoast Ticket Agency’s website,www.seacoastticket.com, the official ticket distributor for the event.
The 2001 Fight of the Year was held July 13, 2001, at Hampton Beach Casino in Hampton, NH., and it is still considered one of the greatest matches ever broadcast on ESPN. “ਆਇਰਿਸ਼” Micky ਵਾਰਡwon an incredibly entertaining, back-and-forth junior welterweight match-up with “boxing cult” heroEmanuel Augustus, by way of a 10-round unanimous decision that was much closer than the judges’ scoring indicated (98-90, 96-91, 96-94).
The high-profile win positioned Ward for what turned out to be his epic Gatti trilogy, while Augustus went on to become one of the most dangerous, upset-minded opponents in boxing. Ward and the third man in the ring that night, Hall of Fame refereeSteve Smoger, will host a USA Alumni Association eventਮੰਗਲਵਾਰ ਨੂੰ, ਸਾਗਰ. 20at The Shaskeen Pub & Restaurant (909 Elm St. ਮੈਨਚੇਸ੍ਟਰ ਵਿੱਚ), 'ਤੇ ਸ਼ੁਰੂ 6 ਦੁਪਿਹਰ. ਅਤੇ, and attend the following night’s (ਸਾਗਰ. 21) ਅਮਰੀਕਾ ਬਨਾਮ. Ireland Northeast Boxing Tour finale in Manchester.
“I’m honored to be invited by USA Boxing to represent all professional officials who spent so much valuable time in the amateurs on their way to their positions in the pros,” Smoger said. “I’m looking forward to being part of everything planned.
“Anytime I spend time with Micky is enjoyable, ਵਿੱਚ ਅਤੇ ਰਿੰਗ ਦੇ ਬਾਹਰ, and we’ve truly formed a bond. I worked six or seven of his fights, including his first in Atlantic City, around the time we were both breaking in. We spend time together every year at the International Boxing Hall of Fame inductions. He’s such a pleasure to be around. He treats people very well. His history in the ring and personality make him a big fan favorite. He’s the same guy he’s always been but he still has the heart of a warrior.”
Bernard Dunne celebrating world title anniversary
Irish Team Performance Directorਬਰਨਾਰਡ Dunnewill celebrate the ninth anniversary of his WBA super bantamweight title-winning performance, ਸਾਗਰ. 21, 2009, the same date as the USA-Ireland Northeaster Boxing Tour stop in Manchester.
Dunne (28-2, 15 ਕੋਸ), fighting out of Dublin, fought professionally between 2001-2009. ਉਸ ਨੇ ਸੀ 119-11 ਇੱਕ ਸ਼ੁਕੀਨ ਦੇ ਤੌਰ ਤੇ, ਸਮੇਤ 13 Irish titles.
ਵਿੱਚ 2009, ਉਹ ਬੰਦ Ricardo Cordoba ਵਿੱਚ 11thround at O2 Arena in Dublin, ਸੰਸਾਰ ਜੇਤੂ ਬਣਨ ਦਾ.
USA stars out in Manchester
USA Boxing will be looking to conclude the tour on a high note with expected boxers on the show such as 2017 four-time international gold medalistGinny Fuchs (Kemah, TX), 2017 Elite Women’s Continental Championships bronze medalistOshae Jones (ਟਾਲੀਡੋ, OH), 2017 World Championships silver medalistਡਿਊਕ Ragan (Cincinnati, OH), 2017 World Championships bronze medalistFreudis Rojas (ਲਾਸ ਵੇਗਾਸ, NV), 2016 USA Nationals heavyweight championJared Anderson (ਟਾਲੀਡੋ, OH), ਅਤੇ 2016 Youth World Championship bronze medalistਰਿਚਰਡ Torrez (Tulare, ਜਿਵੇ ਕੀ). ਸਾਰੇ ਮੁੱਕੇਬਾਜ਼ ਅਤੇ ਮੁਕਾਬਲੇ ਤਬਦੀਲੀ ਦੇ ਅਧੀਨ ਹਨ.
To stay up to date on the USA vs. Ireland ਪੂਰਬ ਮੁੱਕੇਬਾਜ਼ੀ ਟੂਰ ਇੱਥੇ ਕਲਿੱਕ ਕਰੋ.
