All Saints fight night a knockout success

All Saints Boxing Club kicked off their season in style with a successful fight night at Ballymena North Centre on Saturday night.
The All Saints boxers at their recent fight night in the Ballymena North centre. INBT41-263ACThe All Saints boxers at their recent fight night in the Ballymena North centre. INBT41-263AC
The All Saints boxers at their recent fight night in the Ballymena North centre. INBT41-263AC

First on the card was Aiden Kelly, who got All Saints off to a winning start with some clver punching combinations earning him a unanimous points decision over Connor McCourt (Clonard BC) at 47 Kg.

Bout two was a 57 Kg contest with Connor McGee (All Saints) earning a majority decision over Louis Dickie (Coleraine) after a nip-and-tuck encounter.

All Saints’ first defeat of the night came after Ricky Moore was forced to take a standing count in the third round of his 57kg bout with Dylan McAteer (St John’s Swatra) and from then on until the bell he was always on the back foot as the visiting boxer claimed a unanimous decision.

Enda Kennedy was always snappier on the counter in his meeting with Thomas Wates (Holy Trinity) and he earned a unanimous win as he continues to progress with each contest.

Gavin Gillan (All Saints) and Gareth Gordon (Holy Trinity) produced an all-action encounter which saw both men bleeding from their noses but after a hotly-contested bout, the visiting boxer got the win.

Vinny Esler dominated the final round of his contest against Bernaldo Marine (Holy Trinity) but it was too little too late and Marine’s efforts in the early stages earning him a win on a majority decision.

It was a simialr story for Connor David who, despite forcing St John Bosco opponent Ryan McCormick to take a standing count in the third round, found himself beaten on a split decision.

Joel Scullion dominated the early part of his fight against Rory Dalton but the Holy Trinity boxer regained his composure and battled his way back into the bout. Scullionm however, was able to rely on his counterpunch which was enough to give him a well-deserved win with a split decision over a very strong opponent.

The last fight of the evening was the keenly awaited bout between Steven Donnelly All Saints and Eamon Magee Jnr (Ballyclare BC).

Donnelly’s ability to move, jab and punch saw him gain the upper hand and in the third Donnelly was prepared to move into close range and mix it with Magee and always was in control of the fight which meant the result was a unanimous win for the All Saints boxer.

The boxing was not over as next on the bill the audience was treated to five novice contests all being contested by local men, cheered on by vociferous support.

They resulted in wins for Simon Marks, Dean McAtamney, Declan McKee, Derick McCandless and Oran McConnen, who defeated John Downey, Kevin Byrne, Lee Bore, Thomas Donaghy and William Wilson respectively.

A great night of boxing bodes well for All Saints as they have plans to build a new facility at Ballymena North to accommodate the increased numbers of boxers who want to be part of the club this will also include women who want to enjoy the sport.

Finally the Club Committee want to thank their supporters and sponsors for making this event such a success.

* For more photos from the event, see this week’s Ballymena Times.

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