Anthony shows ‘Rawe’ talent at Braid ABC fight night

BRAID Amateur Boxing Club fighter Anthony O’Rawe served further notice of his growing reputation in the ring last week.

O’Rawe, an apprentice coachbuilder, boxed his way to the final of the County Antrim invitational event on Friday night.

That followed on from a superb success over All Saints’ Boxing Club’s Joel Scullion in Wednesday’s semi-final.

Anthony Boxed Ruairi Dalton from Belfast’s Holy trinity club and despite dominating and setting the pace for all of the fight was outpointed 23-19.

Dalton, a previous Irish champion, may have underestimated the strength of young O’Rawe and came into the first round willing to exchange but this was short lived and soon Dalton went unto the back foot and this is where he stayed throughout the rest of the fight.

Dalton stole points by clipping O’Rawe as O’Rawe led in and this frustrated the younger inexperienced O’Rawe.

However as the fight progressed the strength and fitness came through and O’Rawe found the hooks landing and bullied Dalton throughout the last round.

Anthony will take great positives from this fight as he looked like he belongs at this level and will only improve from this past week’s performance.

Club Coach John McLeister said: “Anthony is only just turned 18 and he has a steely determination, he has so much more to do and will improve so much more as a result of this one fight.

“Anthony will continue to train hard and we will work with him to ensure he makes his mark at senior level next season,” added John.

O’Rawe was the headliner at Braid ABC’s club show on Saturday night and despite fighting a total of three fights inside 4 days fought a high octane fight with a heavier opponent.

Anthony boxed Rostrevor’s Michael McGarry and claimed the victory after thee explosive rounds. Anthony was joined by club mates Nicholas McIlroy, Marc Beattie, Glen Timperly, Jacob Bradshaw, Corey Bradshaw, James Fleck, Tyler McMullan and Christopher Hagan.

All the boxers put on a superb performance in front of a 400 strong crowd who packed into Leighinmohr house Hotel to support the local boxers. Braid ABC enjoy huge local support and this made the evening even more special. Boxers from Coleraine, Belfast, Portrush and Rostrevor’s came to compete and take part in this boxing extravaganza.

Braid ABC annual show is also an opportunity to review the past season and award some boxers with achievement awards, this year the wards went to Marc Beattie (Most improved senior boxer); Jacob Bradshaw (Most improved junior boxer); Tyler McMullan (Best junior club boxer & best newcomer); Anthony O’Rawe (Best Senior Boxer).

The club will continue to train boxers for up and coming tournaments where it is hoped they will bring back more silver ware to add to the 9 gold medals and 4 silver medals gained this past season.

Braid ABC has thanked Leighinmohr House Hotel staff for their hospitality and help in making this yet another great night, we would also like to thank all those who came and supported the club and who made the show one of the best boxing shows in the province.

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