All Saints boxer Christie crowned Ulster novice champion

ALL SAINTS boxer Christie Convery was crowned the new Ulster Novice Champion last weekend in Toome.

Twelve year old Christie from Portglenone, who weighs in at 36kilos, won the title after three gruelling contests over a week of boxing.

In his first contest he defeated Conor McLaughlin of St Joseph’s Derry 8-7 in a very close contest with Christie coming strong in the final round to seal the contest.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Next up a few days later was his semi-final bout against the favorite Kevin Stokes from Derrylin boxing club Fermanagh.

This was the best bout of the evening and had the whole hall on its feet. Stokes started well and stamped his authority in the first round and Christie was five points down after the first round and had a mountain to climb.

But he took on board the instructions given to him by his corner and had a fantasitc second round with smart pressure fighting and high workrate.

Going into the third and final round Christie had closed the margin to one point.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With the crowd now behind Christie he applied pressure and showed heart in the final round to win the bout 15-11.

He was given a standing ovation at the end of the bout but he also knew he still had a final to win come Saturday. Christie was up against Brandon Newland St Canices boxing club Dungiven.

From the former Amateur club of former European champion and world title Challenger Paul ‘Dudy’ McCloskey we knew the tall southpaw would be a tricky customer.

Christie-the shorter man in height and reach-boxed beautifully in the final. It really was a case of the fighter against the boxer with Christie coming out on top with his sheer determination and will to win his first title being the key to victory. Christie won the final 11-6 and really was the star of the tournament with his ‘never say die’ attitude and fantastic work rate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Christie has only been with the club 11 months but he is coming on leaps and bounds.

Also in the final was Raymond Ward from Ballymena. Raymond 12 years 57 kilos was up against the current Irish Champion and pushed the Champion to within a few points of his first defeat and nearly caused an upset. The bout ending 17-14 to Sean McDonagh from Omagh boxing club. It was a great bout with Raymond giving his all and taking McDonagh to the wire. It was a terrific performance by Raymond.

Aiden Kelly from Randalstown (13years 46 kilos) was next up in the final for us and was involved in a terrific contest against Issac McLaughlin from twin towns boxing club County Donegal.

His trainers felt Aiden had done enough to lift the title but lost out 15-13. It was one of them contests that it was cruel to pick a winner as both lads left everything in the ring and it was a credit to both boxers to put up such a crowd pleasing bout.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

One trainer said: “It was fantastic from start to finish. Aiden is improving all the time and trains very hard and nothing is a bother to him. Great attitide for a 13 year old lad.”

All Saints also had a few other lads involved in the tournament and were all narrowly defeated. Oisin Doherty (11 years 36kilo), Liam McKeever (13 years 44 kilos), Mathew McPeake (12 years 39 kilo) and Ricky Moore 13 years 57 kilo. All these lads fought very well and done the club proud and already are training very hard for the next tournament in six weeks time.