BoxRec News writer launches Irish Boxing Review
The recently published Irish Boxing Review: 2011 Edition celebrates the unstoppable rise of boxing in Ireland. And you just know it's going to be quality as it was written by BoxRec News contributor, Steve Wellings.
The book is now available to all discerning fans of the sport across the Emerald Isle and beyond, through Amazon, eBay and PayPal. All links and further information can be found at www.irishboxingreview.com.
The review has received great coverage so far, including features and reviews in the Irish Daily Star, Belfast News Letter, Irish Fighter and Writers’ Forum magazines, the Andersonstown News, the Irish Harp and the Ulster Star among others. Numerous websites have carried the story and the author was interviewed on Steve Bunce’s BBC London Boxing Hour.
“The noble art has always flourished in proud fight cities like Belfast and Dublin," says Wellings. "Healthy competition in the Irish and Ulster senior finals, as well as impressive international team displays and a five-medal haul by the Northern Ireland team at the Commonwealth games in Delhi, indicate that this will continue for many years to come. The Irish team succeeded at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and look set to repeat that success, and possibly better it, at London in 2012. The amateur game is strong and the professional game continues to thrive. Irish boxers, from North and South of the border, are regularly appearing in European title fights and I can assure you that this is a serious level.
“There are more shows in Ireland than ever before. Competition between domestic fighters is intense. The Irish title holds greater importance than ever before and our boxers are proving themselves at the highest level. Ten years ago fighters sought fame and fortune in America or England. Now they can fulfil their dreams at home, in front of thousands of fans.”
Boxing Union of Ireland president Mel Christle said, “What has struck me about the last few years is the insatiable demand for professional boxing in Ireland, both North and South. When you add up the number of promotions it is mind boggling considering way back in time, even when I was boxing myself, that two promotions in a year was a windfall. I think it works out about one promotion a month at the moment, in a relatively small population. The crowds are very healthy at most shows and well attended events. It seems to only be getting stronger.”
The volume has been put together as a means of cataloguing the influence and importance of boxing in Ireland. It includes fight reports, reviews and previews, interviews, feature pieces, photographs and a variety of other articles of interest to the boxing enthusiast across Ireland and further afield. From Irish title contests to world title showdowns, the review focuses on Irish boxers past and present, with expert opinion from some of the sport’s most respected managers, trainers and promoters across the amateur and professional circuit. It looks at the proud tradition of Irish boxers seeking fame and fortune in the United States, the controversial role of the world sanctioning bodies, the growing voice of online boxing news providers, a review of the popular National Boxing Awards and concludes by celebrating the striking re-growth of the sport in Ireland after a period in the wilderness.
It also follows some of the biggest domestic names. The likes of Paul McCloskey, Andy Lee, Brian Magee, Martin Lindsay, Matthew Macklin, Martin Rogan, John Duddy, the Hyland trio and more. It catalogues the rise of Willie Casey and the new breed of talent coming through including Carl Frampton, Anthony Fitzgerald, Jamie Kavanagh, Michael Sweeney, Stephen Ormond, Andy Murray, Gary O’Sullivan, Jamie Conlan and Luke Wilton. Readers are reminded of great moments from the careers of Michael Carruth, Gerry Storey, Neil Sinclair and Darren Corbett.
The Irish Boxing Review is available through Amazon, eBay, PayPal (on site), Lulu.com and Barnes & Noble.
