BOXING WORLD SERIES: IRISH BOXING fans will see Kenny Egan as they never saw him before when he lines out for Miami versus Los Angeles in a World Series of Boxing (WSB) clash with Los Angeles tonight. Egan, who won't be wearing protective head gear or a vest, is included on the Miami Gallos team that will trade leather with the LA Matadors over five bouts in their opening WSB match in Miami at the American Airlines Arena, home of NBA side Miami Heat.
Mexico City Guerreros and Memphis Force make up the Americas group. The Guerreros went top of the table with 5-0 win over Memphis when both sides met at the World Trade Centre in Mexico City on Saturday.
Each side has 12 matches in the WSB Team Championships, with the top teams in the Americas, Asian and European groups, plus the best runner-up, advancing to the semi-finals next March.
The WSB, which is fully endorsed by world amateur boxing chiefs AIBA, have dispensed with many of the rules of amateur boxing, although boxers competing in the series won’t lose their Olympic status. However, they won’t be wearing protective head gear or vest and bouts will be decided (barring KOs or stoppages) on the 10-must system favoured in pro boxing. WSB boxers are also on a salary and get paid a bonus for a win.
“I couldn’t be happier with the guys we have on the team, ” said Miami’s Irish-American coach Patrick Burns, a Vietnam vet and a former Miami police sergeant who was coach to the USA boxing team at the 1996 Olympics.
“These guys are great students, and I can’t wait until they get in the ring and execute the new strengths they’ve acquired. The team concept is very beneficial, and since our team combines guys at different stages of their careers, it’s great to see how everyone learns from one another.”
Egan, a silver medal winner at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a 10-time Irish senior champion, will meet Anthony Dorian of the USA in tonight’s duel. The Dublin southpaw, who is part of a 14-man Miami squad, has moved up from his usual light-heavyweight (81kg) category to cruiserweight (85kg) for the WSB. “I watched the Mexico team versus Memphis and the Memphis team looked tired but I believe the altitude had a part to play. I’m in great shape here in Miami and really can’t wait to get in there and see what all the fuss is about,” said Egan.
Egan was also full of praise for his Irish team-mate John Joe Nevin, who is signed with Paris United in the European WSB group. Nevin beat 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Vincenzo Picardi on a unanimous decision in Milan last Friday night, but Milan bounced back to win 3-2 and are joint joint top of the European table with Moscow (Kremlin Bears) who beat Istanbul (Istanbulls) 3-2 last Saturday.
“I am delighted to hear John Joe Nevin got off to a winning start in Paris. It’s exactly what he needed and I am very proud of him. It was a close team bout with Paris losing the last bout and losing 3-2 overall.”
Meanwhile, Egan and Nevin will have an extra opportunity to qualify for the London Olympics in the WSB. The top-ranked boxers in the WSB Team Championships will qualify for the Individual WSB Championships.
The winners from the five weight categories in the WSB Individual Championships will secure Olympic qualification. Miami are away to Memphis at the weekend but Egan won’t be in the team because of the statutory 13-day rest period. Likewise with Nevin. The classy Cavan bantamweight will miss Friday’s home clash with the Kremlin Bears but will line out for Paris United against Istanbulls in December.
Miami Gallos v LA Matadors (November 23rd): Bantamweight– Jose Luis Meza Ochoa v Fernando Martinez; Lightweight– Martinez Medina Jnr v Eric Fowler; Middleweight– William Williams v Charles Watson; Cruiserweight– Kenny Egan v Dorian Anthony; Heavyweight– Trent Rawlins v David Imoesiri.
