World Championships Day 3 Preview

There are three Irish in Last 16 action tomorrow (Thursday 8th) at the AIBA World Amateur Boxing Championships in Doha, Qatar.

Captain bantamweight Mick Conlan, middleweight Michael O’Reilly, and light flyweight Brendan Irvine will all box in the evening session at the 7,700-capacity Ali Bin Hamas Al Attiya Arena-Al Sadd. knowing they are just two wins away from a medal at amateur boxing’s toughest tournament

First out is the ‘Wee Rooster’ Brendan Irvine at 5:15pm (Irish time). The Belfast teenager faces Turkey’s Muhammet Unlu, who coach Billy Walsh admits is “very good.” The Fenerbahce fighter won bronze at this years European Games. Irvine, of course, won silver in the same tournament.

Directly after Irvine, at 5:30pm (Irish time), Conlan makes his bow in the tournament having received a bye through the first round due to being seeded number 3. The decorated Clonard ABC man faces two-time Olympian Robinelson Viera of Brazil, and Billy Walsh feels that “Michael has a tough one.” Nevertheless, regardless of opponent, Conlan is confident of beating any boxer in the World ahead of his assault on World and Olympic Gold.

Last, but definitely not least, is Michael O’Reilly at 6:30pm (Irish time). The European Games gold medalist faces Australia’s Daniel Lewis, a former Commonwealth Youth Games winner who has recently moved up in weight to middleweight. Coach Walsh will be well versed on what the Aussie has to offer as he “was with us in training camp in Belfast.”