Clonmel BC delighted to retain super heavyweight title

By IABA Press Officer Bernard O’Neill

There are not many clubs – if any – in Ireland that can boast that they claimed back-to-back National Elite super-heavy titles.

But the Clonmel BC did it last night Friday night at the National Stadium in Dublin, courtesy of Dean Gardiner.

The towering 6ft 5ft champion was beaten by his Clonmel BC team-mate Con Sheahan in the 2014 final.

But the former Intermediate and Youth champ bounced back to retain the belt for his club at the expense of Constantin Popovicu of the Johnstown BC in Meath last weekend.

Gardiner had his hand raised in victory on a unanimous decision following a cracking 91kg+ three-rounder.

The 26-year-old Tipp orthodox will now make his World Series of Boxing debut for the Mexico Guerreros next month as the reigning Irish champion.

Martin Fennessy, Robert Scanlon and John Mackey were working Gardiner’s corner at the home of Irish boxing at the Elite Championships this month.

Fennessy said: “It was an excellent performance from Dean against an experienced opponent in a top class final. Everyone at the club is absolutely delighted with the win.

“Dean puts so much into the sport and he totally deserves it.

“We’re very proud to retain the title. There’s not many clubs that can say that they replaced a Senior super-heavyweight champion with a Senior super-heavyweight champion.”