Dangerous Daina Moorehouse making short work of Senior step up

She may well be the shortest boxer in every competition she enters but it won’t be long before Daina Moorehouse is winning major medals at Senior level.

Stepping into the adult ranks, the Bray 18-year-old claimed the National Senior [Intermediate] title on Friday night.

It wasn’t just a seamless transition from underage level for light flyweight Moorehouse. Rather, the Enniskerry BC pocket rocket looks to be getting even better.

Boasting two European gold and a bronze, Moorehouse is one of the most decorated Irish underage boxers of recent times but there was nothing child-like about her performance versus Emma Feeney.

The Wicklow wonder was dominant, forcing a count and claiming a wide
unanimous decision win at the National Stadium.

Moorehouse acknowledges that things are different now and she has had to change as she looks to continue her massive success.

“It’s a lot tougher, it really is, but I’m not boxing like a little girl anymore,” Moorehouse told Irish-Boxing.com.

“When I was a Youth and a Junior I was always on my toes and bouncing but it’s a lot harder now so I’m more flat-footed, trying to save my energy – I do be dead bouncing about the place all the time, I wear out fast.”

“I’ve been working on getting in close, I’ve been doing lots of strength and conditioning – it’s important to keep strong at 48kg, especially at my height.”

It’s something of an elephant in the room, Moorehouse’s height.

With just five weight classes being contested at the Olympics – compared to eight for the men – Moorehouse will inevitably have to jump up another three kilograms to flyweight [51kg].

Already small at 48kg, it’s not particularly fair on the talented teen but she’s not one for complaining.

Getting stronger and more destructive all the time, Moorehouse is more than happy to work with what she’s been given – and the results have been impressive.

Entered in the Elite Championships alongside the likes of Shannon Sweeney, Carol Coughlan, and Courtney Daly, the move to flyweight is still down the line.

“I’m still very small for 48,” she explained.

“I think I’ll be 48 for a long time. 51, there’ll be big girls there.”

“I’m 18 now, I think this is my height so I’m better off working on my strength rather than depending on growing.”