Five Irish fighters drafted into WSB- see teams here

 

Five Irish boxers have been drafted into European and South American sides for World Series of Boxing (WSB) 2015 season.

London 2012 bronze medallists Paddy Barnes and Michael Conlan, Stephen Donnelly, Gary Sweeney and Dean Gardiner were snapped up in the international draft at the  International Convention Centre in Jeju, South Korea yesterday.

Barnes and Conlan, who have competed in the WSB in the past, have been drafted by Italia Thunder. Barnes was signed with the Italians last season.

Galway heavyweight Sweeney and Tipperary super-heavy Gardiner will line out for the Mexico Guerreros and Ballymena middleweight Donnelly for the Hussars of Poland.

Donnelly, Gardiner and Sweeney will be making their WSB debuts when the new season begins on January 16.

Each WSB side will complete its squad with national boxers on or before December 16.

Ireland’s Elite boxers, including Olympic silver medallists Ken Egan and John Joe Nevin, have competed in every WSB season since its launch in 2010.

Nevin helped Paris United win the inaugural WSB tournament four years go.