Local boxers impress in Washington tournament

Last week 10 boxers from Northern Ireland visited the US capital, Washington DC, to take part in the seventh annual Belfast Beltway Boxing Tournament, which is held in the Grand Ballroom in the Marriot Wardman Park.
Paul Donnelly Snr, Paul Donnelly Jnr, Brian McAlister, Lewis Napier and 'Spike' Martin proudly show off the belts they won in Washington DC.Paul Donnelly Snr, Paul Donnelly Jnr, Brian McAlister, Lewis Napier and 'Spike' Martin proudly show off the belts they won in Washington DC.
Paul Donnelly Snr, Paul Donnelly Jnr, Brian McAlister, Lewis Napier and 'Spike' Martin proudly show off the belts they won in Washington DC.

The team consisted of three boxers from Scorpion ABC along with coach Paul Donnelly and head coach Alan Martin, also from Scorpion.

The local lads were outstanding, as was the whole team. In six years the Irish boxers had never won stateside before, but that all changed last Saturday night as Lewis Napier , Brian Mcalister and Paul Donnelly all played there part in giving the Northern Ireland team a 7-3 victory.

Lewis Napier was first on and he gave a tremendous effort against Marcus Willis from Diamonds n ruff to clinch a unanimous decision and kick start the Irish charge. Brian McAlister took on a very tricky and awkward opponent in Devonaire Johnson from Keybridge but he put in a great effort. Paul Donnelly took on the very experienced Cornell Hines a junior Olympian and a very cagey opponent but he was surprised from the outset with Paul’s speed and power and when he visited the canvas in the first round he got the message.

Paul dominated the rest of the contest and ran out a unanimous winner to cap off a fantastic night.

This is the second year that Scorpion has been involved with Belfast Beltway Project which is as much a cultural exchange as it is an athletic one. During the trip the team was accompanied by Kevin McBride, the man who retired Tyson. They visited Capitol Hill, White House, The Irish Embassy, the Supreme Court and Arlington Cemetary.

They also trained at Lamont Petersons and Sugar Ray Leonard’s Gym. The USA boxers are returning to compete at the New Titanic Centre in November and a few boxers from Scorpion will be in the team for that.