Boxers exceed all expectations

The Ringside World Championships is the largest amatuer boxing tournament in the world with over 1500 athletes competing in six boxing rings over five days with over three hundred contests per day.

The Erne Boxing Club took a team of three to compete that included Aaron Burns, Harris Crowley and Kaci Crowley. The objective of the visit was purely to gain invaluable experience and hopefully collect a few wins.

However, the team surpassed all expectations with Harris Crowley winning a silver medal and both Aaron Burns and Kaci Crowley reaching the semi-final stage.

After departing last Monday and enduring 20 hours of travelling you would have forgiven a lethargic opening performance but Aaron Burns got the campaign of to a fantastic start with a comprehensive points victory over American opponent Jayden Burnett in the 15-16’s 132lbs category.

Burnett started fast as was very dangerous early on with his powerful hooks but Burns constantly peppered him with well timed jabs and right crosses.

Burns then switched his attacks to the body and knocked the fight out of his opponent forcing him to take standing counts in rounds two and three on route to a clear win.

After receiving a bye to the quarter-finals stage the great start for the Erne side continued with Harris Crowley scoring a points win over Mexico’s Dario Villegas in the 11-12’s 80lbs Open Class category.

All three rounds were extremely competitive but the cleaner punches and more eye-catching shots from Crowley where favoured by the judges who booked his semi-final berth with a unanimous points victory.

Aaron Burns amazing journey continued with another great performance in a come from behind in a war-of-attrition to outscore Christopher Loredo by a split decision.

Burns struggled at first with Loredo’s greater reach put with shear determination and tenacity he forced his opponent to stand and trade. The strong finish in rounds two and three gave Burns a narrow but much deserved win.

The victory ensured that the Erne Boxing Club would have all three of their combatants involved in the semi-finals stage on day four of the competition.

The semi-finals started with a bit of drama as both Kaci Crowley and Harris Crowley were scheduled to compete at the exact same time, as both were bouts number six in their respective rings.

Kaci Crowley, still only aged 10 but competing in the 11-12 85lbs category, couldn’t have drawn a more difficult opening opponent as she was pitted against last year’s Ringside champion and the current USA Junior Olympic champion Issabel Vasquez.

In the open round Kaci started confidently but found her opponent’s ducking and rolling style confusing and hard to pin down. After being caught with a couple of counter punches she dropped the opening session.

In round two, the American started aggressively seeking to overpower Kaci but the response was breathtaking as Kaci went toe-to-toe punching non-stop to take the round.

In the final session, Vasquez didn’t risk engaging and reverted to her unorthodox rolling style. Vasquez landed with a few shots early on and despite constant pressure from Kaci she just couldn’t catch her opponent cleanly to overturn the early deficit.

The points decision two rounds to one rightly went in favour of Vasquez who subsequently went on to win the championship.

Meanwhile, as Kaci was competing Harris Crowley fought for two rounds without his father/coach in his corner but it made little difference as he scored a unanimous points win over American opponent Alan Panduro-Angulo to book his place in the final and guarantee himself a medal.

For two rounds Harris boxed smartly countering his opponent with sharp jab-backhand combinations as his opponent came forward.

Unsure of how the contest was being scored he set out to win the last round big.

The final round was thrilling with both boxers exchanging punches full on. But it was the American that caved first and a strong finish from Harris saw him take the round clearly and earn a unanimous points victory.

The third and final semi-final saw Aaron Burns against another American opponent Christopher Reyes. Reyes was very strong, tall and rangey, it was very difficult for Aaron to get in close and work the body as his opponent was proficient at keeping the contest at mid-long range.

Burns had his moments of success but was generally out-worked in all three rounds but did make an impression on his gracious opponent who acknowledged afterwards that he was stunned by some of Burns shots.

The Erne Boxing Club was extremely proud to be involved in Day Five of the competition which saw Harris Crowley, like his younger sister the day before, pitted against the USA no 1 and USA Junior Olympic champion Quincey Williams from Washington DC.

Williams started at a blistering pace working both the head and body with quality combinations. Harris got a foothold in the contest scoring with a couple of good rights but it wasn’t enough to save the round.

Harris was more alert when starting the second round and had more success but full credit to his quality opponent who scored with the greater variety of punches to again take the session.

In the final round Crowley found that all important extra gear and competed on level terms and after landing with a few good right leads late on he edged the round.

However, the points decision rightly went in favour of Williams much to the disappointment of Harris Crowley who ran him very close.

Erne Boxing Club coach Sean Crowley gave his synopsis of the team’s achievements. “We genuinely came to this competition to gain experience and hoped to gain a win or two.

“We also hoped that we might get the opportunity to face America’s best and we got exacty that but also surpassed all expectations in the process.

Aaron Burns did brilliantly coming through two very tough contests before bailing out to a quality opponent in the semi-finals.

“Kaci Crowley was doubly unlucky, a rule change meant she was moved to compete in the 11-12 year old age bracket instead of the 9-10 year old group and she then drew the USA champion and eventual winner. With a kinder draw she no doubt would have been returning with a Silver medal.

“Kaci’s gallant perfomance really struck accord with the local knowledgeable boxing crowd who were in shock that this frail looking 10 year old from Ireland being more than a match for their champion. Coach Simon Martinez sent me the following message on Facebook “As father coach of Sierra Martinez the USA ranked no 2 girl, I watched in total awe of your Kaci as she waged war with the USA no 1, I salute your proud warrior.” In any other international competition we would be celebrating two Bronze medals but unfortunately only finalists are rewarded in this event.

“Harris Crowley also truly excelled in these championships. He also worked immensely hard in the build up to these championships and got the reward his talent and effort deserved. He pushed the world no 1 all the way and can be extremely proud of his Silver medal, who knows these two boxers might meet in a rematch at the Olympics one day.” “I just wish to thank all the club’s coaches Jim Toye, Aidan Kelly, Greg Copeland and Lynda McAloon plus other club members for helping prepare the team and all of the club’s volunteers, our sponsor Citywide Insurance Brokers and other supporters who without them this trip and success would not have been possible.” added Sean Crowley.