Irish Boxing News

Hungarian light-heavyweight boxer Andras Nagy has died on May 1st after suffering a brain injury while training in Melbourne, Australia. He was 23. Andras - who had a 3-professional record - was on a six-month stay in Australia, boxing with a Croatian license.

Andras was a very talented boxer. His death is a terrible tragedy.

Read more: Hungarian Boxer Andras Nagy Dies.

THE crowd held their breath last Thursday night in the Royal Hotel as boxing hero Katie Taylor took on former Irish champ and European bronze medalist Ross Hickey from Grangecon in what would unfold as a frighteningly good exhibition match.

Hundreds of people crowded into the ballroom and got to their feet with a roar, as champ Katie climbed into the ring to face lightweight Ross who stepped in at the eleventh hour when Liverpool's Anastasia Cousins backed out of the bout.

Hickey and Taylor, who have sparred together before, produced three rounds of exceptional boxing. They sized one another up for the first three minutes and while there are no official points scored in an exhibition bout, onlookers agreed that Katie remained well ahead for the following two rounds.

Hickey only managed to tap Taylor a handful of times, with her speed and precision allowing the Bray sensation to land several blows on her opponent. The 22-year-old's coach and father, Pete Taylor, and brother Peter gave orders from ringside, with Taylor anticipating their instructions almost before the words were out.

'Hickey is a gentleman and a great guy. He had nothing to gain by coming out and stepping in. He did it as a favour and we really appreciate it,' said Pete.

Middleweight champion Jim Rock and Cllr. John Brady were there to present awards on the evening, which was organised to raise money for Bray Boxing Club. The final figure is expected to exceed €5,000. There were 14 clashes on the night, with members of the club going head to head with clubs all over the region.

Bray Boxing club took 10 of the fights with one draw and plenty of blood spilled on the ring. Outstanding among the boxers on Thursday were 11-year-olds Casey Berry and Dungannon's Hartley, with Casey recording a deserved victory.

'Thanks to everyone for supporting the event and all the sponsors who dug deep to help us out,' said promoter Shane Rowan, hinting at a bigger event in the town in June in front of a crowd of 2,500 people.

'The champion of Europe, champion of the world, ladies and gentlemen the champion of Bray,' exclaimed MC Gerry Fitzpatrick before the best amateur female boxer alive happily posed for photographs and signed autographs for her ecstatic fans.