Braid boxer Chris overcomes American opponent

Braid ABC boxer Chris Richmond receives his trophy from former Commonwealth champion Eamonn Magee after his victory in the Belfast-Beltway event in Belfast last week.

Christopher, Fighting in the 69kg division the 26year old electrical engineer who works in Wrightbus Ltd, was really up for it and fully expected a hard fight when he stepped between the ropes at the Titanic Centre, Belfast.

In what was billed one of the fights of the night. Chris blasted his way through a very awkward and strong boxer in the form of Alonso Thompson from the Sugar Ray Leonard school of boxing.

Alonso came out with big intentions and tried hard to put Chris onto the back foot. Chris dug deep and overcame the onslaught and then returned in kind, dishing out vicious body shots and hooks to the head that clearly distressed the American.

Round one was a close encounter. Round two saw Chris dominate from the start and he kept the momentum going into the third, clearly frustrated Alonso continued to drop his head forcing the American referee to deduct one point. Chris ended the round with a barrage of punches that almost forced a premature end but for the sound of the final bell.

Chris was part of a 10 strong Ireland team who battled it out in front of 300 guests, who included North Antrim MP Ian Paisley Jnr, Belfast MLA Alex Maskey and Washington Mayor Vincent Orange.

project The Belfast-Beltway Boxing Project is a Washington, D.C. based 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing support for at-risk youth through cultural exchange and international athletic competition, with a focus on the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area and Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The purpose of the Project is to offer an annual cultural and athletic exchange program, and to provide equipment donations to appropriate non-profit organizations which offer athletic and after-school programs for young adults.

Chris had to fight hard to claim the victory and already Chris has been tipped to make up part of the Northern Ireland tam that will travel to Washington next year for a return bout.

Meanwhile training continues at the Braid gym where Former senior champion Anthony ORawe is training hard in preparation for the Ulster senior elite championships which will be hosted in December.

Training is going really well and sparring is now being stepped up with top class boxers from across the province.

Corey Bradshaw the current Co Antrim Champion and former Ulster champion is also training alongside his older counterparts and looking very much the strong contender for the Irish title. Corey is boxing superbly at the minute and looking good against intermediate and senior boxers.