‘It should be another great day’s boxing up in the Oakleaf’

Oakleaf ABC is the place to be for the second weekend running, with the Northwest Boxing Championships set to be held this Sunday.

Just a week after the biggest ever Co. Derry Boxing Championships at the Rath Mor venue, the best and brightest boxers in the county will go head-to-head in what is sure to be another fascinating and exciting day at Oakleaf.

Last Sunday, scores of young boxers from all across Derry took to the ring, many for the first time, and, cheered on by their families and friends, they stole the show on a day which showed that the sport is alive and kicking in the city.

“It was one of the biggest Derry Championships ever,” Eugene O’Kane enthused afterwards. “There were plenty of new boys here making their debuts so it was a good place for them to get their first outing.

"We had 109 boxers weighing in from clubs around the county. It was one of the best Derry Championships; there were over 30 contests, and our highlight was getting some of the girls on the programme.

"This was the first time we had girls boxing in the Derry Championships. Most of the boxers were first timers, and it was well supported by the boxers’ families.

IN PICTURES: Derry and Districts contests held in the Oakleaf Boxing Club

Co. Derry Boxing Championships held at the Rath Mor venue (Photos - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

“It was great for boxing and it shows that boxing is thriving in the Northwest. We hosted it up in the club and we are proud to have done so, but the main people to praise are the Derry Board, who have been more than proactive in promoting boxing.

"They are sending teams to the William Wallace Box Cup in Scotland, which is a very prestigious tournament, and there are plans also to send teams to Wales in a few months.”

The action is now set to continue this Sunday, and O’Kane can’t wait for it to get going, with the veteran coach delighted that the sport of boxing is growing from strength to strength with all local clubs thriving.

Oakleaf ABC legend Eugene O'Kane. (Photos - Tom Heaney, nwpresspics)

“On Sunday, the Northwest Championships are being held in Oakleaf Boxing club, and this will bring in all the Derry and Donegal boxers, who will face the winners of the Tyrone-Armagh Ulster finalists,” he explained.

“More experienced boxers will be taking part there so it should be a great day’s boxing up in the Oakleaf. It’s a strong start to the year for boxing local. It seems to be thriving. Most of the clubs are all buzzing and they have plenty of new members as well. Clubs like St. Joe’s, Springtown, the Ring, the Star of the Sea, they are all thriving.”