Punch Drunk - the boxing thread

[Broken Wing]

Katie won 10-5 to claim her 5th European title & keep the Olympics dream on track.

[tate]

congrats again Katie, magnificent stuff.

[Ulster's Best]

congrats again Katie, magnificent stuff.

Absolutely brilliant. Consistent excellence and unwavering humility with it.

[Peg Leg]

Joe Frazier
That man ended his life punch drunk. Sad to hear he lost his battle with cancer. Not many legends left.

[Broken Wing]

Going to head into the DVD shops after work and see if I can get a copy of Thrilla in Manilla. Failing that there'll be highlights on an Ali DVD no doubt.

He was one of the greats, the first man to beat Ali and Heavyweight Champion of the World when it meant something.

[Broken Wing]

Ali (pictured here with Al "Blue" Lewis in Croke Park in the summer of 72) turns 70 today.

To mark the occasion ITV4 are showing a 5 part documentary series on Ali's life starting tonight at 10.05 when Des Lynam and Barry McGuigan look at his early life and the fights with Sonny Liston.

[jezzer]

If you haven't seen When we were Kings, about the Rumble in the Jungle, you should definitely get that one out too.

[Broken Wing]

I've only seen a little bit of the ITV stuff as I have it all taped so far. They showed the entire Liston Clay fight with the original commentary and just took the odd break for Des (My Great Grandfather lived on the same street as Ali's) Lynam to ask Barry McGuigan something and have Barry tell us what's happening.

I picked up a 2nd hand copy of When we Were Kings in town for 50c before Christmas. Sat down to watch it and saw that Channel 4 were showing Thrilla in Manilla which deals with the build up and fight from Frazier's viewpoint. Highly recommended.

[Broken Wing]

In amateur news the 2012 Irish National Elite Championships start this weekend. The weigh ins are this morning and the draw this afternoon. These are supposed to decide who goes to Turkey in April to compete for the last few Olympic spots but undoubtedly there'll be a box off or two before then as I can't see the likes of Egan Ward being decided this time round.

The following people will take the remaining European slots in Turkey.
49Kg (Light Flyweight) Semi finalists and quarter finalist beaten by overall winner
52Kg (Flyweight) Michael Conlan Qualified
56Kg (Bantamweight) John Joe Nevin Qualified
60Kg (Lightweight) Semi finalists
64Kg (Light Welterweight) Winner
69Kg (Welterweight) Finalists
75Kg (Middleweight) Darren O’Neill Qualified
81Kg (Light Heavyweight) Finalists and semi finalist beaten by overall winner
91Kg (Heavyweight) Winner
91+ Kg (Super Heavyweight) Finalists

[Peg Leg]

Who is everyones money on tonight???
Ward on OTB last night must have said "it's a young mans game now, you should all get behind me - Kenny had his chance" (or somesuch).

Don't know why but I think Egan is going to win.

[Broken Wing]

RTÉ are showing the fights live. I'm really looking forward to Egan Ward and I too think Egan will steal it.

Another one to watch is Ross Hickey against Stephen Coughlan at 64kg. Hickey lost out on a trip to the worlds last year when he was beaten in a box off by Moylette. Moylette was beaten in the quarter finals this time round and Hickey will be looking to cement his place on the team heading to Turkey in April. Coughlan, who trains out the of the Bray gym with Katie Taylor will be no easy contest though.

Similarly John Joe Joyce lost out to Roy Sheehan for a trip to the worlds and with Sheehan out he'll be looking to get past another Bray man, Paul Nolan, and head to Turkey.

John Joe Nevin is going for his fifth title and, as he's already qualified for London, the title is all that's up for grabs. Michael Conlan at 52Kg and Darren O'Neill at 75Kg are also heading to London so there's only a title up for grabs at their weights.

Paddy Barnes had a very disappointing world championships and it would be a huge shock if Hugh Myres were to get past him and head on to compete for one of five Olympic spots up for grabs in Turkey.

With Egan back at Light Heavy there'll be a new Heavyweight contender going to Turkey. Hard to call between Christy Joyce and Tommy McCarthy but I think Joyce might do it. I can't see the winner qualifying for London though as there's only one spot available in Turkey.

Have to go listen to the podcast of OTB now....

[Broken Wing]

Derry Middleweight Conor Coyle has withdrawn with a hand injury so Darren O'Neill wins his 4th Irish title in a row.

[Broken Wing]

Egan well beaten by Ward. 29-10 it finished. Good fight and Ward thoroughly deserved the win. Will be very interesting to see how he gets on in Turkey. Only the top three at his weight will get through but I can't see many dealing with his power.

[Broken Wing]

Jimmy Magee is a godawful commentator.

[Broken Wing]

D O Joyce, who missed out on qualifying for London by two points in Baku with a penalty in the last five seconds, won't be going to Turkey. Michael McDonagh just had too much for him and could be one to watch in Turkey. Like Ward he's only 18.

[Peg Leg]

Didn't get to watch any of these last night, looks like Egan was taken apart.
I wonder at 18 will Ward struggle to keep his weight- he seems to be still growing.

[johng]

Didn't get to watch any of these last night, looks like Egan was taken apart.
I wonder at 18 will Ward struggle to keep his weight- he seems to be still growing.

Only saw the highlights on the news but that Ward guy has some punch on him. Didn't look the fittest but joly hasus what a punch.

[Broken Wing]

Ward went up to light heavy last year. This year he had to cut weight to fight at light heavy. I can see him fighting at heavy next year which might give Egan an 11th title.

[Broken Wing]

First time professional boxing makes the news since I don't know when and it's because of two over-hyped muppets outside the ring. Hopefully we'll not see them in the ring ever again.

[Peg Leg]

First time professional boxing makes the news since I don't know when and it's because of two over-hyped muppets outside the ring. Hopefully we'll not see them in the ring ever again.

Is this part of Hayes attempt to "break" Hollywood?