ILLIES boxer William McLaughlin is being lauded as Ireland’s No1 welterweight fighter after comprehensively beating Commonwealth Gold Medal winner in the Ulster Elite senior final at the Ulster Hall last night.
McLaughlin produced a storming display of relentless and clinical punching to win the bout comprehensively15-3.
The Donegal man said afterwards: “I’ve never been in better shape. I felt great in there — I like Paddy but I don’t think he’s a 69kg boxer.
“I thought at one point I could have stopped him but credit to him, he stayed in there. Now I’m going down to the Irish championships — this was a good warm-up.”
Gallagher’s confidence was shaken from the first bell as the Donegal man repeatedly landed punches – taking the first round 5-0.
In the second round, the Belfast man’s headguard loosened and as he pointed to it McLaughlin landed a heavy blow. It took over a minute for a new guard to be placed on his head.
As soon as the fight re-started McLaughlin floored Gallagher with a left hook – and then Donegal man breezed through the third round.
There was no surprise in the Ulster Hall when the Illies Golden Gloves champ was handed the Best Boxer award.
In the 91kg category John Sweeney of Dungloe had a comprehensive victory over Fermanagh man Sean Crudden.
Results:
52kg: Declan Milligan (St Paul’s) bt Michael Conlan (St John Bosco) 6-3.
56kg: Ryan Lindberg (Immaculata) bt Sean McComb (Holy Trinity) 9-8.
60kg: James Fryers (Immaculata) bt Mark O’Hara (Holy Trinity) 4-3.
64kg: Tyrone McKenna (Oliver Plunkett) bt Ethan Audley (Holy Trinity) 9-7.
69kg: William McLaughlin (Illies GG) bt Patrick Gallagher (Gleann) 15-3; Joanna Barclay (Holy Family) bt Caroline Connolly (Raphoe) 7-4.
75kg: Conrad Cummings (Holy Trinity) bt Alfredo Meli (Immaculata) 6-2.
81kg: Ray Ginley (Gleann) walkover.
91kg: John Sweeney (Dungloe) bt Sean Crudden (Derrylin) 18-4.
91+kg: Cathal McMonagle (Holy Trinity) bt Damien Ramsey (Ligoniel) rtd2.
