Irish Gloves Are Flying At Dublin’s National Stadium

ByBoxing Press

Five of the ten male titles available at The Irish Daily Star sponsored 2013 National Elite Championships Finals Night at Dublin’s National Stadium are guaranteed to change hands on Friday evening (February 22nd).

The light-flyweight, bantamweight, lightweight, middleweight and super-heavyweight belts lie vacant and await new owners.

Ten male and three female finals will be decided at the South Circular Road venue.

AIBA World No. 1 Katie Taylor will also be between the ropes at the home of Irish boxing.

The Bray woman meets Poland’s Karolina Grazcyk in a special support bout in her first outing since she won gold and the Best Female Boxer of the Tournament award at the London 2012 Olympics last August.

Taylor’s Bray BC team-mate and fellow Irish Olympian Adam Nolan defends his welterweight title against ex Elite champion Willie McLaughlin.

Michael Conlan, a bronze medal winner at the 30th Olympiad, faces Chris Phelan in a third consecutive flyweight final - Conlan won the previous two.

Elsewhere on Friday, current European champion Joe Ward and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Ken Egan renew acquaintances in the 2013 edition of the battle of the southpaws.

Ward,19, won the 2011 and 2012 finals against his Leinster rival and is aiming for his third light-heavyweight crown before his 20th birthday.

Egan, 31, appearing in his 13th successive Elite final since February 23rd, 2001, is targeting an historic 11th title.

Ray Moylette, the current European light-welterweight champion, is in against defending champion Ross Hickey in the 64kg class, and current European U/23 champion Jason Quigley clashes with former Elite champion and 2007 EU gold medallist Roy Sheahan for the middleweight crown.

Hugh Myres and TJ Waite get proceedings underway in the light-flyweight class.

“Elite finals night at the National Stadium is always a very special occasion for Irish boxing and for Irish sport, said IABA President Tommy Murphy.

“Some of the best boxers in the World, Europe and Ireland will be in action on Friday evening and we are all looking forward to what will be another tremendous occasion.”

Friday’s weigh-in will take place between 8.30am and 9.30am and 12pm and 1pm at the National Stadium.

Elite Finals Night begins at 7pm. RTE Two live broadcast begins at 9.45pm.